Award winning composer, Alby Hurwit, at his home in Hartford, CT
Albert (Alby) Hurwit has heard music in his head all his life. But when he failed a piano sight reading test in college, he believed his dream of ever doing anything in music died. Instead he became a Harvard and Tufts educated doctor—a doctor who has healed people his entire career.
Then, after almost five decades of listening to this music in his head—over and over again—he decided he had to do something with it. He retired from his successful practice and bought a roomful of computers and keyboards. He decided even if he had no formal training, he was still going to teach himself how to use these new pieces of technology to somehow translate what was in his head. Even his wife thought he was crazy.
At the age of 70, he didn’t just write a song—but began composing a symphony. In 2009, his music won the prestigious 2009 American Composer Competition. The music in his head—was the story of his family—a Jewish family persecuted in Europe, fleeing to America in hopes of the American Dream. It is the immigrant’s story—and a story of hope and never giving up—despite almost insurmountable obstacles.
Now, as time ticks away, Alby is working on the next chapter of his life and in turn creating a legacy –proving you’re never too old to dream.
To hear Alby’s music, visit his website at: www.alberthurwit.com.
The Gambling Man was produced in association with Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
