Shaul Berezovsky

Shaul Berezovsky (, , , 1908–1975) was a Polish and Israeli composer, pianist, and music director. He composed music for productions by many of the leading figures of the Polish Yiddish Theatre of the interwar and postwar period, including Shimon Dzigan and Israel Shumacher, Moishe Broderzon, and Ida Kamińska. He was also well known as a choir director and arranger.

Biography Early life Berezovsky was born in Grodno, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire (today located in Belarus) on 5 June 1908. However, when his mother fell ill, he returned to Grodno and became a pianist in a silent film theatre for a time. As the war approached, Shaul was drafted into the Polish army, being stationed in the 42nd infantry based in Białystok. During that time he organized an army string ensemble, and was also permitted leave at night to supplement his income by playing in ensembles in cafes. The troupe managed to stage two full shows in 1940: (Singing and Dancing) and (Raisins and Almonds).

He died on 2 April 1975 in Tel Aviv.

A number of his compositions are still performed today. These include (under the ruins of Poland, an adaptation of an Itzik Manger poem), (I am tired, also a Manger poem), (adapted from a Mordechai Gebirtig poem), (Grandfather's tune), and (By the river, adaptation of a Mani Leib poem).