Jacob Eisenberg (1898–1964) was an American

pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

and

author An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...

of books and articles on the piano. He was married to

Ruth Brewer Eisenberg Ruth Brewer Eisenberg (1902–1996) was "Ivory" of "Ebony and Ivory," the inter-racial piano duo. Eisenberg and Margaret Patrick, "Ebony," each had a stroke in 1982, which partially disabled them. Prior to the stroke, each had studied and played ...

, "Ivory" of the piano duo,

Ebony and Ivory "Ebony and Ivory" is a song that was released in 1982 as a single by Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder. It was issued on 29 March that year as the lead single from McCartney's third solo album, ''Tug of War'' (1982). Written by McCartney ...

Musical accomplishments

Eisenberg wrote textbooks and articles on piano technique and interviewed major classical musicians, such as

Vladimir de Pachmann Vladimir de Pachmann or Pachman (27 July 18486 January 1933) was a pianist of Russian-German ethnicity, especially noted for performing the works of Chopin and for his eccentric performing style. Biography Pachmann was born in Odessa, Ukraine as ...

Leopold Godowsky Leopold Mordkhelovich Godowsky Sr. (13 February 1870 – 21 November 1938) was a Lithuanian-born American virtuoso pianist, composer and teacher. He was one of the most highly regarded performers of his time, known for his theories concernin ...

and

Vladimir Horowitz Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz; yi, וולאַדימיר סאַמוילאָוויטש האָראָוויץ, group=n (November 5, 1989)Schonberg, 1992 was a Russian-born American classical pianist. Considered one of the greatest pianists of all ...

.Eisenberg, Jacob.
Horowitz Explains Accenting a Melody while Playing Chords
Interview with Vladimir Horowitz, ''The Musician'' (June 1928). Accessed Feb. 18, 2010 He was a contributor to ''The Musician,'' an early 20th-century monthly magazine for music teachers and students. In an introductory note to Eisenberg's interview with Vladimir de Pachmann, the editor of ''The Musician'' wrote, "Jacob Eisenberg, author of ''Weight and Relaxation Method for the Piano'' and ''Etudes for the Development of the Principles of Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing'', is a recognized authority on Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing. His books have a widespread circulation throughout the world and have aroused most favorable comment. While the real truth concerning Vladimir de Pachmann's much discussed 'Methode', has already appeared in ''The Musician'', Mr. Eisenberg's further elucidation of the subject will be of interest to teachers and students." Eisenberg interviewed Vladimir Horowitz on his first trip to the United States in January 1928. He was impressed with Horowitz, writing, "This remarkable young Russian, on his first visit to America, succeeded in having himself recorded in critical annals as the season's most important newcomer among pianists. He is twenty-four years old; Rachmaninoff is his favorite pianist; a conservative Boston audience jumped to its feet and cheered him not many weeks ago; he is now making a spring tour of Europe and will return to America in October for a two and a half months' tour." Jacob Eisenberg in his music library

Eisenberg married Ruth Brewer in 1923. Eisenberg saw his new wife as a "laboratory" where he could test his theories of technique and teaching piano. He pestered his wife to let him teach her piano, but she didn't like to practice.Lindeman, Bard.
Musicians and victims of strokes find a way to play some very inspiring Chopin
''Park City Daily News'', Bowling Green, Kentucky (May 9, 1988) page 7. Accessed February 18, 2010 To get her to practice, he offered to do all the housework and she happily accepted.Dullea, Georgia.

. ''New York Times,'' (September 28, 1987) page C13. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010Ralston, Jeannie. "Ebony and Ivory: 'A miracle brought us together' " ''McCall's'' magazine (October 1986) pages 91-92 Piano became her passion. When Eisenberg went on a lecture tour of the United States, his wife came along to illustrate his methods to his lecture audiences. Playing the piano, she was visible proof that his teaching methods enabled the adult student to master the piano. The ability to play piano later became his wife's saving grace, after she suffered a stroke. Depressed about her physical state, she was introduced to Margaret Patrick (1913–1994), who had also just had a stroke, but on the other side, and also had a background in classical piano. The two were soon dubbed "

" and their story became known nationally and internationally. In an interview in ''

McCall's ''McCall's'' was a monthly American women's magazine, published by the McCall Corporation, that enjoyed great popularity through much of the 20th century, peaking at a readership of 8.4 million in the early 1960s. It was established as a small-for ...

'' magazine in 1986, Ruth Eisenberg said, "My husband was a wonderful teacher. I just wish he could see what I'm doing now with what he taught me." Eisenberg's final book was published in 1964, the year of his decease. "Let Me Help You," an illustrated book written for young children, explains the history of the piano from the perspective of the instrument, with the stated goal of inspiring the young reader to practice. A photo of Eisenberg's children,

Jacqueline Jacqueline may refer to: People * Jacqueline (given name), including a list of people with the name * Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), ring name "Jacqueline", American professional wrestler Arts and entertainment * ''Jacqueline'' (1923 film), ...

and Roger, is used to illustrate the proper way to sit at the piano to practice. Eisenberg's personal papers and documents are archived at the

International Piano Archives The University of Maryland Libraries is the largest university library in the Washington, D.C. - Baltimore area. The university's library system includes eight libraries: six are located on the College Park campus, while the Severn Library, an of ...

in College Park, Maryland."Jacob Eisenberg Collection"

University of Maryland The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of M ...

, Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. Retrieved June 27, 2013

Books and articles by Jacob Eisenberg

* "Weight And Relaxation Method For The Piano Forte" (1922) * "Etudes for the Development of the Principles of Weight and Relaxation in Piano Playing, Based on Hanon Book I, The Virtuoso Pianist" (1923) New York *
De Pachmann Preaches Economy of Motion
''The Musician,'' Vol. 29, No. 2 (February 1924). Accessed Feb. 18, 2010 * "Natural Technics in Piano Mastery" (1928) London, England *

Interview with Vladimir Horowitz, ''The Musician'' (June 1928). Accessed Feb. 18, 2010 * "Piano Courses for Juniors" (1930) New York * "Carnegie Series of Piano Lessons" (1931) New York * "The Pianist" (1940) New York * "Thumbnail Pictorial History of the Piano" (1950) New York *
The 'Chord' in Monocord, Clavicord, Harpsicord and Vocal Cord
''The Galpin Society Journal'', Vol. 8, (March 1955), pp. 47–49. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010 * "Country Music Is More Popular than Classical Music" (1958) New York * "Whence Cometh — Whither Goeth — That Music Called Jazz" (1962) New York * "Let Me Help You" (1964) Jay-Roger Music Co., North Bergen, New Jersey

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eisenberg, Jacob American textbook writers American male non-fiction writers Jewish American writers 1898 births 1964 deaths American writers about music American music educators 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American Jews