Israel Isidore Baline was born in Russia on May 11, 1888. His family immigrated to America in 1893 when he was five years of age in search of a better life. He attended public schools, but his earliest musical education came from his father, who was a cantor. Both Bucknell University and Temple University awarded him honorary degrees during his lifetime. In an amazing irony, this great composer could not read music and could only play on the black keys of the piano! At one time, he had a special piano built with pedals that could change the set from … Continue reading →