Jewish Chamber Music

Classics Today 10/10; Music Web International: outstanding; Klassik Heute 10/10/10.


Decades before the Yiddish Revival of the 80s (and beyond), the Moscow Society for Jewish Music presented it's first concert in 1929. For a few short years, while the young Soviet Republic still tolerated independent artistic expression, a group of Jewish composers courageously fought to preserve their musical culture. While not a member of the Moscow group, Swiss composer Ernest Bloch received the Russian premieres of many of his compositions in the Society's concerts. Drawing upon the ancient traditions of Jewish liturgical chant, and the melodies of their home-in-exile, these composers created a vital, moving and deeply emotional tapestry of the Jewish experience. This recording is a profoundly important cultural document in the history of 20th century music.