This Valley Stream composer’s life in music is now in print

Leonard J. Lehrman, a prolific composer, conductor, and translator, has released his autobiography, “Continuator: The Autobiography of a Socially-Conscious, Cosmopolitan Composer.” Published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc., the book offers an in-depth look at Lehrman’s extensive career in music, his influences, and his contributions to cultural preservation and advocacy.

In his memoir, Lehrman explores the interplay between tradition and innovation that has defined his work. A multilingual artist and translator, Lehrman has created an expansive body of work that includes 12 operas, seven musicals, and nearly 250 other vocal and instrumental pieces. His compositions draw on texts by writers such as William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and Bertolt Brecht, among others, spanning 11 languages.

Lehrman’s career has been shaped by formal training at Harvard, Cornell and Indiana University, and mentorships with notable figures such as Nadia Boulanger and Boris Goldovsky. His professional milestones include being the first Jewish conductor of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Berlin and performing Yiddish music at the Bayreuth Wagner Festival. Lehrman also adapted and completed unfinished works by Marc Blitzstein, including “Idiots First,” which earned the first Off-Broadway Opera Award, and “Sacco and Vanzetti,” a Pulitzer Prize nominee.

The memoir also highlights Lehr-man’s collaborations with composers such as Leonard Bernstein, who referred to him as “Marc’s dybbuk.” Lehrman and his wife, soprano and actress Helene Williams, his frequent collaborator, have performed over 700 concerts celebrating historical figures and themes, including performances on four continents.

Lehrman’s autobiography offers a comprehensive account of his musical achievements, academic endeavors, and cultural advocacy. His leadership roles include serving as the first president of the Long Island Composers Alliance, conducting significant choral performances, and establishing educational initiatives such as a course in Jewish opera at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Central to Lehrman’s legacy is his enduring partnership with Williams. For over two decades, the couple have nurtured their shared devotion to opera and classical music while collaborating on performances around the world. Together they have also run Court Street Music, their home-turned-music school in Valley Stream, for 25 years. At Court Street Music, they mentor students of all ages in NYSSMA coaching, vocal technique, composition, and music theory.