18 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, August 23, 1985 WE HAVE ONE WORD FOR YOU, "PLASTICS"! Join Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate" and get your plastics at: M U SIC M. Tilson Thomas Mixes Judaism and Gershwin BY MICHAEL ELKIN Special To The Jewish News AIN PLASTICS ❑ SIDEWALK SALE ❑ MOVING SALE ❑ WHITE SALE (check one or oll) THE PLACE: 21270 West 8 Mile Rood TIME: 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. DATE: AUG. 15-SEPT. 14, 1985 (Or Until All Sold) (Between Evergreen & Lahser) ALL PLASTICS ARE or $1.00 LB. ❑ $1.00 EACH ❑ BRANCH OUT JEWISHLY at the Midrasha College of Jewish Studies through our Natural Resources Nira Lev Hebrew Language and Literature Michael Tilson Thomas: A musical prodigy with strong Yiddish roots. Dr. Jacqueline Zeff Literature Dr. Sidney Bolkosky Jewish History Tamar Traub Hebrew Language Adult Enrithment Courses and Credit Course tl For a complete brochure or Information Please call 352-7117 :Arnim Dr. Anita Norich Yiddish Language and Literature Courses Begin September 3 Midragla College of Jewish Studies Sigmund and Sophie Rohlik Bldg. 21550 West Twelve Mile Road Southfield, Mich. 48076 Conductor Michael - Tilson Symphony at the age 24 in Thomas has been called one of 1969; music director of the Buf- American music's most versatile falo Philharmonic from 1971 to pioneers. In charting his path, 1979; current principal guest conductor Michael Tilson conductor with the Los Angeles Thomas can tip his hat to Philharmonic; 12 Grammy grandparents rooted in another nominations; and respected in- language and culture — Yid- terpreter of such American com- dish. posers as Ives, Ruggles, Reich "Their dedication to the arts and Gershwin. Music has been a friendly set a very profound example for me," says Tilson Thomas. "I at resident in the 40-year-old con- one time thought of going into ductor's life since he started the sciences, but the example of playing at the age of five. who they were and the kind-of Music, Tilson Thomas says, has provided him with a passport people they were changed that." Of course, his grandparents, "which takes me into an Boris and Bessie Thomashevsky, enchanting and beautiful were prominent pathfinders in world." Part of that world glimmers their own right. Boris is ac- knowledged as the "father of the with Gershwin. "I am very de- Yiddish theater" in America; his voted to Gershwin," says Tilson wife, Bessie, was a prominent Thomas. "George has a 'special actress. facination that draws me in." "I didn't know Gershwin was no stranger to my grandfather; he died before I the conductor's house — he even was born," says Tilson Thomas, taught Michael's father, a whose father shortened the fam- screenwriter and movie producer ily surname so he could get jobs and director, how to play piano. based on his own talents. "But I "How extraordinary and rich is was 18 when my grandmother Gershwin's music," says Tilson died. Some say she was the Thomas.' "It is always pro- greater actor. She told me a lot foundly expressive." of stories about Yiddish theater Calling the composer "an un- and how it got started. She 'Was classified genius," Tilson such a craftsman." • Thomas adds, "He is maybe the Grandson Michael has done most famous of American com- very well on his own: music di- posers, but he's never been rector of the Young Musicians taken as seriously as he should Foundation Debut Orchestra at be taken." the age of 19; Koussevitzky Tilson Thomas is conducting a Prize winner in 1968 as a con- personal campaign in an effort ducting fellTy Titv &wood; to change all that. His most re- assistant condueor of Boston cent idbiinl'IMAYunpublished