“Jewish music combines happiness and pain in a very unique way. The instruments seem to laugh and cry as human voices. The tradition of subtle irony is part of Judaism more than of any other religion or culture. It unites both ends of human emotion, gives a common expression in songs and jokes.” ^(*) Jewish folk songs are part of a cultural heritage that had been systematically attacked and destroyed during Nazi rule in Germany. To make sure that Yiddish songs are not forgotten, the Leipziger Synagogalchor commissioned acclaimed arrangers Matthias Becker, Ludwig Böhme, Reiko Füting, Juan Garcia, Thomas Heyn, Fredo Jung, and Philipp Lawson to rearrange twelve songs for choir and imbue them with the spirit of the twenty-first century. Inspired by the melodies, they created complex, colorful, and innovative arrangements of songs that otherwise could not be performed by polyphonic choirs. The high-quality concert pieces can now be brought to the attention of a wider public through numerous performances; they can be incorporated into the repertoire of other choirs and thus continue to be performed and disseminated in the future. The Schering Stiftung has supported the project, since it brings to life the Yiddish songs in a contemporary and creative way, preserving the old while at the same time promoting contemporary classical music.

LIDL FUN GOLDENEM LAND
Cheerful and contemplative Yiddish melodies, newly arranged

Leipziger Synagogalchor
Susanne Langner – alto
Falk Hoffmann – tenor
Ulrich Vogel – piano
Henrik Hochschild – violin
Claus-Peter Nebelung – double bass
Thomas Streipert – narrator
Ludwig Böhme – director

Photo: 2014 Musica Sacra International © modfestivals

^(*) Thomas Streipert, quoted from the CD booklet