75 years of Israel

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Louis Lewandowski Festival 2011

Introduction to the 1st Louis Lewandowski Festival

The Louis Lewandowski Festival is an important international festival of synagogue choral music that took place for the first time in Berlin from December 16 to 18, 2011.
It is dedicated to the German-Jewish composer Louis Lewandowski (1821-1894), who is considered one of the greatest reformers of Jewish liturgical music.
With this festival, Berlin has created a globally unique cultural event.

A new cultural event in Berlin

The festival attracts renowned choirs from four continents, who give concerts in various locations in Berlin.
In addition to the performances, workshops are also offered in which the participants can make music together and learn from each other.
The highlight of the festival is the big final concert, where all the choirs perform together in front of the Berlin audience.
This event offers a unique opportunity to experience the diversity and beauty of synagogue music.

Louis Lewandowski’s life and work

Louis (Lazarus) Lewandowski was born in 1821 in Wreschen, in the province of Posen, in what is now Poland.
He left home at the age of 12 and moved to Berlin.
There he was introduced to the Alexander Mendelssohn family, who recognized and encouraged his musical talent.
Lewandowski was the first Jew to be accepted as a student at the Berlin Academy of Arts, which underlines his extraordinary talent.

His influence on synagogal music

Lewandowski revolutionized Jewish liturgical music and is still considered one of its greatest reformers today.
His compositions, which combine both traditional Jewish elements and European musical influences, still form the basis of the repertoire in liberal and conservative synagogues worldwide.
Lewandowski’s work has not only had a lasting influence on Jewish music, but has also made an important contribution to European musical culture.

We look forward to seeing you

The Louis Lewandowski Festival is not only a tribute to an outstanding composer, but also a celebration of the rich tradition of synagogue music.
It brings together musicians and audiences from all over the world and promotes intercultural exchange.
In Berlin, this festival has found a permanent place in the cultural calendar and helps to keep the legacy of Louis Lewandowski alive.

The artists 2011

Regina Yantian – Artistic Director

In the 14th year of the Louis Lewandowski Festival, for the first time only music by Oriental Jews will be heard, whose melodies, keys and choice of instruments are very much influenced by the musical culture of their Arab countries of origin in the Middle East and North Africa.

Zurich Synagogue Choir

The "Synagogue Choir Zurich" comprises around twenty-four singers under the direction of conductor Robert Braunschweig. The choir is supported by the Israelite Cultus Community Zurich ICZ.

Louis Lewandowski (1821 – 1894)

Louis Lewandowski left his family at the age of 12, which was not unusual at the time, went to Berlin and joined the Jewish community. Cantor Ascher Lion quickly recognized Lewandowski's musicality and beautiful boyish soprano and made him his musical assistant in the service.

ENSEMBLE VOCAL HÉBRAÏCA DE STRASBOURG

Founded in 2006 by Hector Sabo and composed by the male soloists of the mixed choir Les Polyphonies Hébraïques de Strasbourg (participants in LLF 2011), the Ensemble Vocal Hébraïca performs as a vocal quartet until 2011. Then, the group had grown into a quintette to become a mixed voices octet in 2012 already.

Zamir Chorale of Boston

Founded in 1969, the Zamir Chorale of Boston is a musical and educational institution dedicated to raising awareness of the diversity and beauty of Jewish culture through performances, recordings, symposia, publications and commissions. The artistic director and founder is Joshua Jacobson.

Synagogal Ensemble Berlin

The Synagogal Ensemble Berlin (SEB) was founded in 2002 by Regina Yantian as a concert ensemble. It consists of eight to twenty professional singers, ...