A point of encounter
1923—2016
Composer · Educator
Germany · United States · Ecuador
20th century · 21st century · Modernism
Also known as: Ursula Meyer · Ursula Lewy
Overview
Ursula Mamlok was born in Berlin and fled Nazi persecution with her family to Ecuador in 1939. A scholarship took her to the Mannes School of Music in New York the following year. Further studies with teachers including Stefan Wolpe and Ralph Shapey helped her develop an independent compositional language. She taught theory and composition at institutions including the Manhattan School of Music, writing orchestral, vocal and chamber works. In 2006 she returned to Berlin, where performances and recording projects brought a new phase of activity before her death in 2016.
[1][2]Cultural context
Berlin origins, flight from Nazi persecution through Ecuador, a New York career and later return to Berlin.
Musical Language
Mamlok’s music developed beyond conventional tonality while retaining, in her own account, an awareness of tonal centers. Her foundation’s biography emphasizes contrasting rhythms, instrumental color and dramatic development. Chamber music occupies a substantial part of the catalogue, with combinations ranging from piano trio to ensembles mixing winds, strings and piano.[1][2][3]
A point of encounter
A few paths into the music. Follow a recording, a score, or the composer’s catalogue.
01 / Catalogue
Meet Mamlok through three familiar instruments: violin, cello and piano. Her foundation’s catalogue gives the work’s details and recording references, with paths onward to other chamber combinations.
Explore the foundation’s work catalogue — External website; opens in a new tabSelected works
1 / 1 · Selected Works — not a complete catalogue.
| Work | Year & catalogue | Forces & genre | Resources & verification |
|---|---|---|---|
Panta Rhei (Time in Flux) | 1981 | Violin, cello and piano Piano trio | C. F. Peters |
A dash indicates that a date has not been established in this selection. External resources may have access or regional conditions.
Research
Original editorial summaries, checked against the sources below. Linked catalogues and recordings remain with their publishers and archives.
Composer / specialist resource
Dwight and Ursula Mamlok Foundation — Biography — External website; opens in a new tabLibrary / archive
Milken Archive of Jewish Music — Ursula Mamlok — External website; opens in a new tabComposer / specialist resource
Dwight and Ursula Mamlok Foundation — Werkverzeichnis — External website; opens in a new tabLast reviewed: