Jewish music in the Ashkenazi Diaspora was flourishing incomparably during the 19th and beginnings of the 20th century; a phenomenon primarily caused by organ building in liberal synagogues in Central Europe.
The most important composers at that time were Louis Lewandowski (Berlin), Salomon Sulzer (Vienna) and Samuel Naumbourg (Paris). The Leipziger Synagogalchor focuses on these composers; their works are the core of the concert programs. But the choir also performes Jewish music from other composers and eras as well as Yiddish folk songs. It is internationally known as a competent, specialized ensemble.
The choir has given concerts in Poland, Ukraine, USA, Spain, Portugal, UK, South Africa and Brazil and it received several awards (as Kunstpreis der Stadt Leipzig and Stern der Völkerfreundschaft in Gold). The objective is to promote international dialogue as ambassadors. The choir has already been to Israel twice. As a sign of reconciliation, the Knesset permitted the ensemble to sing at the synagogue of the Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem in 2010.
Since 2012 Ludwig Böhme serves as the Artistic Director. Ludwig Böhme (*1979) loves vocal music – and he is an proven all-rounder: singer, conductor, lecturer and arranger.
+ + + We are delighted to announce that in January 2017 the Leipzig Synagogal Choir will receive an award for outstanding achievements at the Obermayer German Jewish History Awards (obermayer.us). + + +
More choirs of the Louis Lewandowski Festival 2016
BELSIZE YOUTH CHOIR
The youth choir "Belsize Youth Choir" was founded in 1950 by Hanni & Paul Lichtenstern and has been directed by music director Sue Mariner ever since. Since Sue Mariner retired, Alyson Denza has been the driving force behind the choir.
ENSEMBLE PROFETI DELLA QUINTA
The ensemble was founded in the Galilee region of Israel by Elam Rotem. It is currently based in Switzerland, where its members undertook further study at the Schola Cantorum in Basel.
Festival DVD kaufen!
Alle Festival DVDs (Audio / Video) des Louis Lewandowski Festivals sind bei Hentrich & Hentrich, dem Verlag für jüdische Kultur und Zeitgeschichte erschienen. Die DVDs sind Aufzeichnungen der großen Abschlusskonzerte mit alle Ensembles des jeweiligen Jahres. Sprachen: deutsch und englisch.
JUGENDCHOR SYNAGOGE PESTALOZZISTRASSE
For generations children have been coming to the synagogue in Pestalozzistraße with their parents. Here, the synagogue service is an interaction between cantor, choir and organ as well as Lewandowski’s music which plays a central role.
THE LEWANDOWSKI CHORALE
The majority of South African synagogues are orthodox and do not allow women to partake in singing. This means that even though the tunes of Lewandowski and his contemporaries are still widely sung in these synagogues, the original texture and harmonies are often lost.