Bei mir bist Du schön: The Life of Sholom Secunda

Secunda, Victoria. Bei mir bist Du schön: The Life of Sholom Secunda. Weston, Connecticut: MagiCircle Press, (1982). First edition. 8vo. xiii, 271pp. Maroon cloth with gold lettering on cover and spine in original photographic dust jacket. Fascinating biography of Yiddish composer Sholom Secunda. The author covers Secunda’s early years in the Ukraine, his escape from Eastern Europe in 1907, his arrival in America, the early hardships in the United Sates, his exile to Philadelphia and other struggles, until he finally became one of the most famous composers of New York’s Yiddish musical theater. A song from one of his 65 productions, “Bei mir bist Du schön,” became the most popular song in the world in 1938 when it was recorded by the Andrews Sisters. A generation later, another one of his Yiddish theater songs, “Dona, Dona, Dona,” became an international hit. Secunda also composed for film, opera, synagogue, and was a music critic of the “Jewish Daily Forward.” Foreword by Walter Matthau. Illustrated with b/w reproductions of photographs showing the artist at various stages throughout his life. Top corners slightly bumped. Some creasing, chipping and rubbing on dj. Inscribed by previous owner on free front endpaper. Tight copy with dj in good, book in near fine condition. vg. Hardcover. (24835) $50