Shtift, Herman
1880-
A playwright and author of music books, he was born in Loyvitsh (Lowicz), Poland. His Jewish given name was: Hirsh-Perets. Against the wishes of his pious father, he left for Berlin to study music and in 1890 moved to London, before returning to Lowicz.
He wrote:
A Metod tsu Lernen Shpiln Fidl (A Method for Learning to Play the Violin) (London, ca. 1903), 100 pp.;
Di Metode tsu Erlernen Shpielen Mandoline (The Method for Learning to Play the Mandolin) (Warsaw, 1915), 23 pp.;
Shtifts Egzamen Und Dueten Bukh, Oys tsu Ibn di Finger Baym Shpielen (Shtift’s Exam and Duet Book, to Exercise the Fingers for Playing).
His plays:
Di Milkhome Tsvishen Foter Und Zohn, oder der Kampf Tsvishen Den Fanatizmus un Tsivilizatsyon, an Original Bild fun Yudishen Leben in 4 Akten (The War Between Father and Son, or the Struggle Between Fanaticism and Civilization, an Original Picture of Jewish Life in Four Acts) (Warsaw: A. Boymritter, 1905, 1907), 41 pp.;
Algemayner Strayḳ in Russland oder Royber Durkh Noyt, a Muzikalishe Melodrame in 4 Akten (General Strike in Russia or Robber by Virtue of Need, a Musical Melodrama in Four Acts) (Warsaw: Y. Edelshteyn, 1906), 60 pp.
Both plays were staged.
Sources: Zalmen Reyzen, Leksikon, vol. 4; Zalmen Zilbertsvayg, Leksikon fun Yidishn Teater (Lexicon of the Yiddish Theater), vol. 6 (Mexico City, 1969).