Mira J. Spektor, In Memoriam (1928-2021)
Composer, Poet, MCNY Board of Directors
Click above to hear Mira sing her own music and French lyrics: "Il Neige dans mon coeur"
To visit Mira's Catalog of Music, click here.
To hear samples of Mira's music, click here.
Direct to Videos
Direct to French Art Songs
In addition to her contributions as a long-serving Board Member of the Musicians Club of New York and as a perennially participating composer (and financial supporter of other participating composers) in the Club's Composers concerts, as The New York Times obituary phrased it, Mira Spektor "was a life force, a woman whose passion found expression in her music and poetry. She astonished and inspired us with her creative energy, which only increased with each passing year." To read The New York Times obituary, click here.
In 1975, Mira founded The Aviva Players to support and perform works of women composers, and she served as its Artistic Director until her death in 2021. Past Musicians Club of New York President and long-serving Board Member Dorothy Indenbaum served for 25 years as The Aviva Player's Associate Artistic Director, until her death in 2014. It was their efforts that renewed the Musicians Club of New York's longstanding focus and advocacy on behalf of women composers. In addition to the Musicians Club of New York and The Aviva Players, Mira was a member of BMI, the Dramatist Guild, Opera America, and the League of Professional Theater Women.
A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied composition with Musicians Club of New York past president Norman Dello Joio. She also studied at Mannes and Juilliard. Some quotes over the years from the The New York Times: “An interesting composer”…”Attractive and tonal” …”A passionate duet”…”A sprightly songfest”. For Scores & information, contact her family at: mirajspektor@earthlink.net.
Mira J Spektor - Composer/Lyricist/Poet:
In addition to her English, French and German recital & cabaret songs, Mira Spektor composed music for theater, film and TV. Her chamber operas and musicals include The Housewives' Cantata (lyrics by June Siegel), Lady of the Castle (Spektor’s music & lyrics based on Lea Goldberg's Israeli play), The Passion of Lizzie Borden (poems by Ruth Whitman), Villa Diodati (about Mary Shelley, lyrics by Colette Inez, Byron, Shelley) and Giovanni the Fearless (A Commedia del’Arte with a libretto by Carolyn Balducci). She published to books of her poems, “From Seaside Houses” and "The Road to November”. (She was working on a third book - if it is published posthumously, it should be added here.)
She has recorded for Concert Hall, Westminster, Guilde International du Disque, Original Cast Records, Capstone and AirPlay. Villa Diodiatii was produced by Bank Street Films and is available on Albany Records. Her music scores (Georgina Press - BMI) include the feature film Double Edge (Faye Dunaway) and PBS documentaries, Art in Its Soul and Serious Comics. Her CDs include: The Housewives’ Cantata, Lady of the Castle, Mira Chante/French Love Songs, and Lullabies & Love Songs.
Four Songs by Mira J. Spektor,
Brian Hunter, tenor, Jean-Paul Björlin, piano
00:22 Sunday Psalm, poem by Phyllis McGinley (1905-1978)
03:11 Irreverent Heart, poem by Yip Harburg (1896-1981) - New York Premiere
05:21 The White Road of Summer, poem by William Dickey (1928-1994)
07:27 Indian Serenade, poem by Percy Shelley (1792-1822) from the Chamber Opera Villa Diodati
Musicians Club of New York, Sunday, March 24, 2019, Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
Mira J. Spektor's "I Want to Go Home" (from Lady of the Castle)
Darcy Dunn, mezzo-soprano, Mimi Stern-Wolfe, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member-Composers Concert, March 11, 2017, Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
"Have Song Will Travel", lyrics & music by Mira J. Spektor;
Karen Jolicoeur, soprano, Barbara Ames, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
"Indian Summer", poem & music by Mira J. Spektor;
Lars Woodul, baritone, Barbara Ames, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
Train Music and "So We’ll Go No More A’Roving" (from Villa Diodati), poem by Lord Byron, music by Mira J. Spektor;
Karen Jolicoeur, soprano, Lars Woodul, baritone, Barbara Ames, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
"You Were There" (from Give Me Time), lyrics by Caroline Crippen, music by Mira J. Spektor;
Karen Jolicoeur, soprano, Lars Woodul, baritone, Barbara Ames, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
Four Songs of Mira J. Spektor, performed by Karen Jolicoeur, soprano; Leslie Middlebrook, mezzo-soprano; Brian Hunter, tenor; Barbara Ames, piano/conducting; Rina Elisha, stage direction.
The Musicians Club of New York's March 18, 2018, "Dorothy Indenbaum Composers Concert", Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
"Il neige dans mon coeur", lyrics & music by Mira J. Spektor;
Karen Jolicoeur, soprano, Barbara Ames, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
