Arbel Looking for New Members in Philly

Looking to sing in Philadelphia? Arbel, a Jewish community choir in Philadelphia, is currently seeking new members. Check out http://www.arbel.org

Toronto Jewish Folk Choir at Ashkenaz

The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is performing Sunday, September 3, 1 p.m. in the Brigantine Room at the Ashkenaz festival in Toronto. Free admission.
This will be the second performance of In Amerike, for choir and klezmer band by Sid Robinovitch - a terrific piece that was a big hit at its premiere in June. Beyond the Pale is joining the choir, and Sid is coming in from Winnipeg to play the piano part. Toronto Jewish Folk Choir also doing a few other numbers, including a choral version of the beautiful lullabye, Rozhinkes mit mandlen (Raisins and Almonds). Alexander Veprinsky will conduct the concert, including excerpts from a medley he created for our 80th anniversary concert.

Shevet Achim Featured on Richard Nunemaker CD

Shevet Achim (Brothers Dwell) by Meira Warshauer featured on New Richard Nunemaker CD Project – Work Has Special Relevance for Today Clarinetist Richard Nunemaker has released a new CD “The Louisville Project”, which features Meira Warshauer’s “Shevet Achim (Brothers Dwell).” The Louisville Project (AUR CD 3127). The piece, for two bass clarinets, is a response to the troubled relationship between the descendants of half-brothers Yitzchak and Yishmael (sons of Abraham), now Israelis and Palestinians. Written in fall, 2000, the piece roils with the conflict between the two peoples, expressing both intense animosity and common identification. It has been observed that the most strongly felt conflicts are between peoples whose lives and histories are intertwined on many levels.

For more information, including how to order this CD from Arizona University Recordings, please visit http://www.aurec.com/louisville_project.htm.
The composition exploits the acoustic properties of the bass clarinet. Color trills, tremolos, flutter tongue, glissandi, quarter tones, and extreme registers help express the confrontation. In contrast, the audible overtones in the low register, two voices contained in one, represent resonance, mutual recognition. As the piece progresses, the moments of recognition become longer, softer; the possibility of another path emerges, even though the conflict does not yet completely recede.

The title recalls Psalm 133, vs. 1: “Hinei ma tov u’ma nayim, shevet achim gam yachad (How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together as one).” The composer comments: “As we send out this CD announcement, we are painfully aware of the current fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and the destruction in Lebanon and Israel and elsewhere. It is my hope and prayer that this music can in some small way help point all of our hearts --the children of Israel and of Ishmael, the children of Abraham, the children of Adam and Eve, the hearts of all who dwell on earth--towards a path of peace and life.”

Performers for this recording of “Shevet Achim” are Mr. Nunemaker and fellow bass clarinetist Timothy Zavadil. Mr. Nunemaker describes his feelings about the composition: “I love ‘Shevet Achim.’ Every time I perform ‘Shevet Achim’ I well up at the sheer beauty and emotion that it evokes. It is music for our time and music for humankind. A wonderful and beautiful work of art.” Visit Richard Nunemaker online at http://www.RichardNunemaker.com.

The Louisville Project (AUR CD 3127) is music that was commissioned by Richard Nunemaker and premiered by him in performances in Louisville, Kentucky and Chicago, Illinois with the composers present. This CD was recorded in Louisville, Kentucky immediately following performance on the campus of the University of Louisville.

For more information about Meira Warshauer, including a complete catalog of her works, visit her website at http://home.sc.rr.com/meirawarshauer/.

Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University Libraries

Located in the Wimberly Library at Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton, Florida campus, the Judaica Sound Archives has grown, since its inception in 2002, into a center for the collection and preservation of Judaica sound recordings. Its unique and rapidly expanding website (www.fau.edu/jsa) allows browsers to search their 78 rpm database by artist or song title, hear the recorded works of prominent artists, and learn more about the program to rescue recorded Jewish music. The JSA's collection includes Yiddish theater, Israeli folk, cantorial, and Sephardic music. Their goal is to be as inclusive as possible. Access to all of the digitized recordings in the JSA’s collection is possible through dedicated “research and listening stations” in the Wimberly Library. Off-site “research and listening stations” are planned for the future. The JSA gratefully accepts phonograph recordings of Yiddish, Hebrew and Sephardic music (both secular and religious) for inclusion in its collection. For further information call Nathan Tinanoff, Director, at 561-297-2207.

KlezCalifornia All-Stars in San Francisco

YERBA BUENA GARDENS FESTIVAL in downtown San Francisco, September 10, 2006, 1:00 - 2:30 pm.
The KlezCalifornia All-Stars : Klezmer Music and Yiddish Dance 101 will be part of the Music in the Gardens 101 which is a series of narrated concerts that provides audiences a unique and invaluable opportunity to hear first-hand from master musicians about the music they perform, and their personal sources of inspiration. The series is designed to appeal as much to the musician and non-musician; as much to a grandparent as to a child. Featuring Stu Brotman of Brave Old World, Julie Egger of Red Hot Chachkas, Josh Horowitz of Veretski Pass, Kevin Mummey and Steve Saxon of KlezX, and Gerry Tenney of California Klezmer. See www.ybgf.org/GetHere.html for information and directions.

Theresa Tova Sings Beyle

Theresa Tova is launching a new CD: "You Ask Me Why -- Tova Sings Beyle". It is an ambitious CD featuring a collaboration with masterful producer/arranger John Alcorn. The CD celebrates the songs of Yiddish poet and songwriter Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman (National Endowment of the Arts honoree). Tova places these folk gems in settings that are a meange of jazz, world and contemporary pop grooves... bridging the gap between the traditional roots of Jewish culture and 21st century sensibilities and rhythms.

The CD launch is Monday September 4th 5:30 pm at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre in Toronto with an all star jazz band:
Mark Eisenman Piano
Artie Roth Bass and Electric Bass
Daniel Barnes Drums and Percussion
Brian Katz Classical and Electric Guitars
Jane Bunnett Flute
Kelly Jefferson Tenor Saxophone
John Macleod Trumpet
and Julie Michels Vocal duet

For more information about Theresa Tova, visit: http://www.theresatova.com