Marilyn Lerner: Pianist, Psychoanalyst, Improvisor, Composer

I was honored to have this conversation with Marilyn Lerner, who  is a unique pianist and composer who is a powerfully expressive musician across a range of styles. She’s a wonderful improvisor and has performed worldwide, as well as recorded extensively as both a soloist and as an ensemble player. She’s also a therapist and psychoanalyst, and our conversation moved through many fascinating and important topics including ideas around identity and creativity.

The video version is available here, and the transcript will later be published to the same link: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/marilyn-lerner

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photo: Jake Sherman

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(01:06) jazz piano improvisation

(03:47) exploring different musical styles

(04:52) accompanying Silent film music

(08:58) teaching classical musicians to improvise, KlezCanada, Lori Freedman

(14:18) the piano as a textural instrument and different kinds of improv (with musical example)

(16:46) Marilyn’s youth

(21:10) university years at York University (switching from Psychology into music), and Marilyn’s work as a psychoanalyst, exploring the psychological aspects of being a musician, issues around identity

(27:48) the challenges of making a living as a musician

(30:22) experiences during 2020 lockdowns for both Marilyn and Leah

(36:33) Adrienne Cooper, Anna Margolin, Dave Wall, “All Silent Things Speak Today” collection of songs, “Dreaming in Yiddish”

(41:21) Yiddish and Ashkenazic Jewish history

(45:45) Marilyn plays piano “Romanian Fantasy”

(51:09) Yoshie Fruchter “The Pieces Broken”

(52:27) mridangam studies Trichy Sankaran, opportunities at York University, Reginald Godden,

Ethnomusicology

(56:58) Salsa: learning Montunos with Rodrigo Munoz

(57:47) Jane Bunnett, Larry Kramer, Maqueque,Cuban musicians, “Birds Are Returning” Dafnis Prieto

(01:03:04) classical influences in improvising

(01:07:18) psychology, becoming a therapist

(01:09:47) Marilyn’s youth, development as a pianist and musician

(01:11:45) challenges of finding focus and creative time