Concert memorializes student who died from cancer

The New Music Enemble (NME) held what it hopes to be the first "Annual Physical" concert last Thursday in memory of Jonathan Neuman, a student musician who died this summer from leukemia.

Neuman, better known as "Johnny Physical," was a member of the improvisational musical group during his time at Tufts. "Annual Physical" is NME's annual fall concert this year and the event is part of a continuing effort to commemorate Jonathan's contributions to the group.

NME, a group of undergraduate, graduate students and Tufts alumni, was Neuman's favorite activity at Tufts. The ensemble experiments with a variety of avant-garde techniques, and its members frequently learn to play new instruments to enhance their performances both on and off campus.

Neuman's commitment and enthusiasm made him an integral part of NME.

"When I first joined the group I was a little hesitant to let myself go, but Johnny was never afraid to make a fool out of himself," NME member Don Schechter said. "He was always the one out there singing out of tune or banging on the piano."

The idea for a concert in Neuman's owner came from his brother, who told Music Faculty Co-Director Donald Berman that he wanted to capture the essence of Neuman's character. The pioneer performance of "Annual Physical" included improvisational pieces that used recordings Neuman had made in the intensive care unit, new compositions created by NME members dedicated to Neuman's memory and works by some of his favorite musicians, such as Earle Brown and Robert Schumann.

Despite an intense course of chemotherapy treatment, Neuman never relinquished his passion for music. He started a garage band, The Physicals, that was well-known on campus for several years. From his bed when he was sick, Neuman continued to compose and record music, including a song with Art Garfunkel.

At the Thursday concert, the eight-member production used a variety of instruments, including the piano, guitar, cello, clarinet, accordion, flute, teremin, violin, and percussion. One piece included alumni Lee Todd Lacks' performance of an original song titled "Just Another Fool Who Believes." Other performances included Earle Brown's "Warning Bells," Schumann's "Kind in Einschlummern," NME's own "Schumann Dreams," and a guitar solo improvisation.

The concert's second half had a more personal and intimate approach, begun with Music Department Chair John McDonald's piano solo "Physical Fantasy," which he composed in honor of Neuman's artistic ingenuity. "Johnny never had piano lessons and yet he played in the purest sense," McDonald said.

Part of Neuman's innovative style was due to his percussion-like use of the instrument, McDonald said. In composing Physical Fantasy, McDonald hoped to sound like a hybrid of Neuman's and Robert Schumann's artistic styles.

Neuman's musical style was also memorialized by senior Aaron Clift, who created "Johnny Physical Collage" by going through Neuman's tapes and choosing various sequences. The project was intimidating at first, Clift said, because he was not confident in his ability to emulate Neuman's music. The collage was performed by Ben Clouette on cello, Alex Chechile and Aaron Clift on guitar, and Donald Berman on piano, with Neuman's tape playing in the background.

Clift, who learned about Neuman's death early this fall, composed a second piece, "Threnody," to express his anguish over losing Neuman. The piece eventually came to embody "a more generalized response to losing a loved one," Clift said.

Many of Neuman's friends attended the concert, the room resounded with people sharing heart-felt remembrances of Neuman.

Neuman was "the most encouraging person I know," Ray Kernani said. "He never looked down on anyone. Even in his sickest period, he always remained positive. He had the ability to bring out the best in people."