Samuel Pokrass

Kyiv, 17 May 2011

Samuel Yakovlevich Pokrass (Russian: Самуил Яковлевич Покрасс; born 1893 in Kyiv, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]; died June 15, 1939, in New York City, US[1]) was a Soviet and American composer of Russian-Jewish origin.

Life and education

Pokrass was born in Kyiv. Pokrass at the early age of 10 was accepted to Kyiv college of music[citation needed] and wrote his first composition,[1] continuing to study music throughout Europe, including with Maurice Ravel in France. Mostly made popular by Natalia Tamara, Pokrass wrote "gypsy songs", and composed music for Micheal Vawditch, Maurice Ravel, the Dolly Sisters, and Maurice Chevalier. Pokrass graduated from the Petrograd Conservatory in 1917 and returned to Kyiv, where he became known as a virtuoso accompanist and composer of romance arrangements.[2] While in a club Pokrass was asked to play from Jake Shubert, a visiting American theatrical producer, who was overall not impressed by Pokrass' original music but soon became more focused on him after hearing Pokrass play "All Alone" by Irving Berlin. This led Shubert to giving Pokrass a contract that lead to the creation of "Cyrano de Bergerac".[1] From 1925 - 1927, Pokrass worked as a musician in the court of the Sultan or Morocco, but due to issues had to flee to France.[citation needed]

Career in Russia and Europe

During the Russian Civil War (1920), Pokrass collaborated with poet Pavel Grigoryev to write fighting songs for the Red Army, most notably "White Army, Black Baron" (Красная армия всех сильней). The melody of this song was later used for "Die Arbeiter von Wien" ("The Workers of Vienna") in Red Vienna. Pokrass's music was performed by popular singers in Moscow and was influential in Soviet musical propaganda. Facing political and artistic repression, Pokrass left the Soviet Union in 1924, living in Berlin and Paris before emigrating to the United States.

Career in the United States

Pokrass arrived in America in 1924 and initially struggled to find success. He worked as a writer for vaudeville acts before establishing himself as a composer. He became a composer for Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, working in Hollywood from 1934 to 1939. Pokrass arrived in New York to work on a new Broadway musical on June 5, 1939, where he passed 10 days later.[citation needed]

One of his many songs, "My Best Wishes", was used in the opening of the 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance.[4]

Family and legacy

Pokrass had several brothers—Dmitry, Daniil, and Arkady—who were also composers and musicians, and remained in the Soviet Union. As a child, Pokrass' father, Yakov Pokrass,[citation needed] smashed a violin over his head which lead to him studying piano.[5] His works contributed to both Soviet and American musical traditions, particularly in film and popular music. Pokrass died in New York City at age 45. Pokrass's music, especially his Red Army songs, became iconic in Soviet history and were adapted internationally. His contributions to Hollywood musicals and popular songs have been recognized for their lasting impact on American film music.[6]

Music composed

Sheet music for Tango smerti by Samuel Pokrass
  • White Army, Black Baron also known as "The Red Army Is the Strongest"
  • "Give Me Time"[7]
  • "My Best Wishes"[7][8]
  • "The Paper Says Rain"[7]
  • "Cyrano De Bergerac"[9]
  • "Careful with My Heart"[10]
  • "Follies Chorale Ensemble"[10]
  • "That’s Where We Come In"[10]
  • "To the Beat of My Heart"[10]
  • "Tango Smierci"[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c Harrison, Paul (Jun 28, 1939). The Telegraph-Herald. The Telegraph-Herald. p. 4.
  2. ^ Frühauf, Tina (2023). The Oxford Handbook of Jewish Music Studies. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-752862-4.
  3. ^ Suskin, Steven (2000). Show Tunes: The Songs, Shows, and Careers of Broadway's Major Composers. Oxford University Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-19-512599-3.
  4. ^ "Samuel Pokrass | Writer, Music Department, Composer". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  5. ^ Harrison, Paul (June 28, 1939). The Telegraph-Herald. The Telegraph-Herald. p. 4.
  6. ^ "SAMUEL POKRASS, A FILM COMPOSER; Refugee From Russian Revolt Wrote Operatic Version of 'Cyrano'--Dies at 45 HIS MUSIC IN 'TOVARICH' 'The Farmer in the Dell' and 'Three Musketeers' Were Among His Creations (Published 1939)". 1939-06-16. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  7. ^ a b c Harrison, Dale (June 1938). The Day. The Day. p. 16.
  8. ^ The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) - Soundtracks - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-11-06 – via www.imdb.com.
  9. ^ The Montreal Gazette. The Montreal Gazette. August 9, 1935. p. 3.
  10. ^ a b c d Bloom, Ken (1996). American song : the complete musical theatre companion. Internet Archive. London: New York : Schirmer Books ; London : Prentice Hall International. pp. 1247–1248. ISBN 978-0-02-870484-5.
  11. ^ "File:Tango smerti (Tango of Death) by Samuel Pokrass sheet music.jpg - Wikipedia". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2025-11-06.

Sources

  • A. V. Shilov, Из истории первых советских песен (1917–24), М., 1963[1]
  • A. Sokhor, Как начиналась советская музыка, "МЖ", 1967, No 2.
  • Samuel Pokrass - IMDb
  1. ^ "Samuel Pokrass". prod.tcm.com. Retrieved 2025-10-13.[dead link]
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Pokrass