RUTH LOMON — Nov. 7, 1930 – Sept. 26, 2017
A native of Montreal, Canada, Ruth Lomon attended le Conservatoire de Quebec and McGill University. She continued her studies with Frances Judd Cooke at the New England Conservatory of Music and, later, with Witold Lutoslawski at Dartington College, England.
From 1998 Ms. Lomon was Composer/Resident Scholar at the Women’s Studies Research Center, Brandeis University. Among the works completed during her tenure is the oratorio, “Testimony of Witnesses,” setting poetry of the Holocaust, for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra. She composed this work for Boston Secession, a vocal arts ensemble (directed by Jane Ring Frank), who performed and recorded sections of it. She received a grant from the Hadassah International Research Center for completion of this work.
She was commissioned by the Pro Arte Chamber Ensemble to compose a trumpet concerto, Odyssey, for Charles Schlueter, principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This work was premiered in 1998, and recorded 2010 on the CD “Statements” issued by KLEOS Classics .
Her Requiem (for full chorus and soprano solo accompanied by brass and woodwinds) was premiered in Boston (1997) by Coro Allegro, David Hodgkins, Artistic Director.
During 1995-96 Ms. Lomon was a fellow of the Bunting Institute, Radcliffe/Harvard where she composed Songs of Remembrance, a song cycle on poems of the Holocaust. This hour length work was premiered at the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall, Harvard University, and has since had numerous performances including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C. in April ’98, and the IAWM Congress in London, England, in July ’99 where she received the Miriam Gideon Composition award for this work. “Songs of Remembrance” was recorded on the CRI label.
For many years Ruth and her husband Earle lived part of the year in New Mexico, where she became interested in the music and culture of Native Americans, and had the opportunity to attend a number of ceremonials. That experience is reflected in many of her works.
Ruth died peacefully in her home in Cambridge, MA. She is survived by her husband, and children Glynis, Dylan, and Deirdre/Hibu, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Archived profile from the Women’s Studies Research Center, Brandeis University
Read an interview with Ruth Lomon by radio personality Bruce Duffie.
Ruth Lomon, Composer/Scholar
BMI composer
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