An influential figure who established a handful of musical institutions, Yasser is noted for his 1932 publication, A Theory of Evolving Tonality.
12 Facts About Joseph Yasser
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Joseph Yasser was active until his death at age 88 in 1981.
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Joseph Yasser studied piano in Moscow with renowned pianist-cum-composer Jacob Weinberg and from 1912 to 1917 enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory, graduating with honors.
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In 1918 Yasser succeeded B Sabaneev as leader of the school's organ department.
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In 1921 Joseph Yasser moved to Shanghai, China, directing the "Shanghai Songsters" choral society and performing in concert, including as a member of a piano quintet which he formed.
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Particularly interested in the Chinese organ, Joseph Yasser continued as a Chinese music lecturer in the United States.
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Joseph Yasser served as organist and choir director at Congregation Rodeph Sholom from 1929 to 1960.
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Joseph Yasser was a co-founder, along with Charles Seeger, of the American Library of Musicology in 1931, co-founder of the American Musicological Society in 1934, and collector and advocate of Jewish and Jewish-American music.
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Joseph Yasser supported the use of the musical interval measurements, namely the decitone, centitone, and millitone.
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From 1944 till its closure in 1980, Joseph Yasser frequently participated in activities organised by the New York-based National Jewish Music Council, founded to raise awareness on Jewish music.
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Joseph Yasser was hailed as an "important mentor to younger students".
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Joseph Yasser was a contributor to Novoye Russkoye Slovo, a Russian daily, and wrote about various topics in music.