Sorrowfully and Joyfully:
Homage to Soviet Yiddish Creativity

Annual tribute to murdered Soviet Yiddish writers, featuring music and readings in Yiddish and English.

On the fateful date of August 12, 1952, the Soviet régime of Joseph Stalin executed fourteen prominent Yiddish writers and Jewish communal officials in an attempt to wipe out Jewish culture.  57 years later, we gather to celebrate Soviet Yiddish creativity through words and songs by great artists: Moyshe Kulbak, Shmuel Halkin, Dovid Hofshteyn, Leyb Kvitko, Perets Markish, Arin Kushnirov, Yosif Kerler, Itsik Fefer, Shmuel Polonski, and honored Los Angeles poet Moyshe Sklar.

Songs will be performed by the Arbeter Ring Mit Gezang Yiddish Chorus, with the participation of prominent readers in both Yiddish and English.  Narration and translations by Hershl Hartman (also known as Yiddishkayt's Vortsman).

Presented by Arbeter Ring (Workmen's Circle). Cosponsored by Yiddishkayt and a collection of secular and progressive Jewish groups.

On August 9, 2009 the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony is proud to present "L'Khayim!" (To Life!): A Musical Celebration of Eastern European Culture* to showcase music and songs that have their roots in Russia, Poland, and other Eastern European Countries. The first half of the program includes a performance of Wladislaw Szpilman's Piano Concertino, written while he was interned in the Warsaw Ghetto and featured in the Academy-Award winning film "The Pianist."  The soloist for the Concertino will be young and upcoming pianist, Yevgeniy Milyavskiy. The first half of the concert also includes The Fiddler, which is based on a Yiddish tale by author Shalom Aleichem.  The work, by American composer Elliot Finkel, for violin, narrator and orchestra, features concertmaster Mark Kashper (originally from Russia) on violin, and all-around entertainer Mike Burstyn. The repertoire also includes the music of Grzegorz Fitelberg (1879-1953), legendary composer and conductor.  Fitelberg was internationally known as the "Ambassador of Polish Music." The life of this maestro was dedicated to promoting and propagating Polish art, culture, and music worldwide.  Clarinetist Zinovy Goro (originally from Ukraine) will be the guest artist for Fitelberg's composition To the Wedding.

The second half of the program features Broadway and international star, Mike Burstyn, long-time friend of Yiddishkayt and seen last year in our summer concert, The ˇViva Yiddish! Project. Mike has entertained audiences on stage, screen and television, in nightclubs and on concert stages throughout the world.


*Why did we spell it L'Khayim as opposed to L'Chayim?  Read last month's The Vortsman for an explanation.