Joseph Brody

Joseph Brody (1876/1877 – 1937) was an American Jewish composer who wrote for the Yiddish theatre as well as liturgical Jewish works. He taught George Gershwin and was a friend of Yossele Rosenblatt. His daughter, Estelle Brody, was an actress.

Early life Brody was born on March 12, 1877, according to his gravestone, in Lyakhavichy, Minsk Governorate, in the Russian Empire, although the Lexicon of Yiddish Theatre gives the date as February 12, and in own his naturalization application he stated his birthday was January 22, 1876. His father, Harris Brody, was a tailor and sent Joseph to a Cheder for his early education.

His father emigrated to the United States in 1887, at which point Joseph entered a Yeshiva in Slonim, where he stayed for six years. During that time he developed an aptitude for music, and was greatly impressed by the military orchestras which regularly played in the park in Slonim during the summers. It was when he was hired by David Kessler from the Thalia Theatre in New York City that his career as a Jewish American composer began in earnest. His partnership with Kessler would last for several decades.

Kessler, Bertha Kalich, and Sigmund Mogulesko starred in Brody's debut play, which garnered significant success. During this time he developed an appreciation for Louis Friedsell's career, with whom he would later widely collaborate. Joseph Rumshinsky published arrangements of a number of Brody's compositions during this era as well.

In 1913, Brody became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

After two decades of successful collaborations, Kessler died in 1920, after which Brody spent several shorter stints composing in other theatres, including the People's Theater, the Liberty Theater and the Hopkinson Theater.

Family Joseph married his first wife Elizabeth (Leah) Vishniff, a fellow Russian Jewish immigrant, in May 1898. In 1900 their first daughter Estelle Brody, then known as Sadie, was born. She would later become a well-known silent film actor in Great Britain. Their second and third children, Phillip and Harris, were born in 1902 and 1905. Their son Murray L. Brody, who would later become a composer as well, was born in 1909. Elizabeth died in May 1912 at age 36.

In December 1912, Joseph married his second wife, Bessie Fox, also a Russian Jewish immigrant. Census records indicate that they resided with Sadie, Philip, Harry, and Moses, in addition to their own children Bernard and Jannette (born 1914 and 1917 respectively).

Selected plays Brody contributed music for by Jacob Gordin, music cowritten with Sigmund Mogulesko, 1900. (The Nightingale in Jerusalem), operetta, written by Sigmund Feinman, lyrics by Brody, performed by Kalman Juvelier, 1903. (The Jews in Brazil) by Herman, 1903. (The naive one) by Nahum Meir Schaikewitz, lyrics by Brody, performed by Bertha Kalich, 1903. , performed by Bertha Kalich and David Kessler, 1903. (King of the beggars), written by Israel Zangwill with lyrics by Solomon Smulewitz, 1905. Uptown and downtown, with lyrics by Solomon Smulewitz, 1906. (Queen of Sheba), operetta, written by Moses Horowitz with lyrics by Anshel Schorr, 1907. (The neighbors), with lyrics by Anshel Schorr, 1908. by Jacob Gordin by Jacob Gordin (The Jewish Heart), operetta, written by Joseph Lateiner, music cowritten with Sigmund Mogulesko with lyrics by Louis Gilrod, Solomon Smulewitz and Sigmund Mogulesko, 1908. (The Wedding Day), operetta, music cowritten with Louis Friedsell, lyrics by Solomon Smulewitz and Louis Friedsell, 1910. (The house of peace or "Home, sweet home"), written by Joseph Lateiner, music cowritten with Louis Friedsell with lyrics by Solomon Smulewitz, Joseph Tanzman and Isidore Lillian, 1910. (The false step), written by Joseph Lateiner, music cowritten with Louis Friedsell, lyrics by Henry M. Gastwirth, performed by Kalman Juvelier, 1915. (The Yiddish King Lear), written by Jacob Gordin, 1915. (The True Friend) written by Joseph Lateiner with lyrics by Isidore Lillian, 1917. (A friend in life), operetta, written by Shloime Steinberg, with lyrics by B. Reznik, 1918. (A mother's soul), with lyrics by Joseph Tanzman (The land of tears), operetta, with lyrics by David Meyerowitz, 1920. (Jacob, the gypsy), musical, with lyrics by Joseph Tanzman, 1926. (The Yiddish King Lear), film adaptation of Gordin play, 1934.