For the city of Leipzig, it was Mendelssohn in particular who shaped musical life and integrated the classical tradition into both Jewish culture and city society. His Violin Sonata in F major, first published by Menuhin at Edition Peters, bears eloquent witness to this. Mahler, conductor at the Leipzig Opera, was able to build on this cultural background and, from Leipzig, set out into the world on his path as a celebrated composer.
In the third part, works with folk elements by Joseph Achron and Boris Levenson are heard, which also reflect Jewish life in Leipzig from the late 19th century up to the Shoah. More modern perspectives on Jewish music in a global context are shown by pieces by Marc Lavry.
The finale carries the audience away with virtuoso Hebrew melodies after Heifetz and celebrates the vitality of Jewish music culture.
This programme combines the historical, spiritual and global dimensions of Jewish culture and creates a dramaturgical arc from intimate reflection to virtuoso exhilaration. The aim is to make listeners aware of the diversity of Jewish musical traditions and to move them emotionally.
Nathalie Schmalhofer, violin
Andriy Romanishyn, piano