PROGRAMME NOTES
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue
Forte!
A Concert to Celebrate
Ann Sadan’s 40 Years of Music at EDRS
with
Musical Director: Benjamin Wolf
Assistant Musical Director: Maureen Creese
Mezzo: Ann Sadan
Tenor: Robert Brody
Tenor: Marc Finer
Tenor: Alan Kutner
The Goldman Ensemble
Gavriella Goldman (Horn)
Tirzah Goldman (Violoncello)
Ortal Goldman (Violin)
Sunday 18th March 2007 at 7.30 pm
118 Stonegrove, Edgware, Middx. HA8 8AB
A Message from the Chairman
A warm welcome to EDRS. None of the performers are strangers to EDRS. Some of the Zemel Choir are members of the Shul and the others have been here for past performances. This is the first and I hope not the last when we have the pleasure of hearing the Goldman Ensemble.
We are here to celebrate Ann Sadan’s 40 years of music at EDRS. It is obvious to all that she began very young as she is still perceived as a young girl. Most of us cannot remember what it was like without Ann. Her warm personality enriches our choir on Shabbat and High Holidays, and she has such a beautiful voice. She is always willing to help, and has been enabled to do so with the support of her loving family.
I thank Perry Newton who agreed to co-ordinate the evening and the many other people who helped to make this evening the tremendous success, I hope it will be.
Bernie Joseph
Chairman
March 2007
ANN SADAN
Mezzo Soprano
Ann Sadan began her singing career with the Synagogue Choir at the age of 6, joining the Zemel Choir at the age of 14. She then studied with Esther Hulbert at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and later with Alison Truefitt of the Welsh National Opera. She sang for 10 years with Quartissimo, a female barber shop quartet, and with the Pro Musica Chorus of London, with whom she travelled to France every year to perform various operas, as well as performing in Rome and Barcelona regularly.
In 2006, Ann celebrated 25 years of conducting the choir at Edgware and District Reform Synagogue. Whilst in this role, she has arranged various pieces of liturgical music, organised 2 children’s musicals and arranged music for and conducted an orchestra created to celebrate the Synagogue’s 70th anniversary in 2005.
Ann currently teaches music at Belmont Middle School in Harrow, and is an occasional soloist with the Zemel Choir, having made several recordings with them in the past as the Alto soloist. In April 2006, Ann was the Alto soloist in the UK première of Erich Zeisl’s Requiem Ebraico, performed and recorded live at North Western Reform Synagogue at Alyth Gardens.
Programme
Shir Hama’alot Ashre – Psalm 128 S Rossi
Shir Hama’alot Ashre is one of thirty-three psalms, songs and hymns published by Salamone Rossi (1567 – 1632) in Hebrew under the collective title Hashirim Asher Lish’lomo (The Song of Solomon) in Venice 1623. Rossi, an innovative composer-performer was employed at the Gonzaga Court in Mantua from 1587 until 1612. Hashirim Asher Lish’lomo was the first collection of polyphonic music for the Synagogue. It was considered a novelty in its time and remained so for over two hundred years.
Happy is everyone that fears the Lord that walks in his ways. When you shall eat the labour of your hands, happy shall you be and it shall be well with you.’
B’tzeit Yisrael – Psalm 114 D Tunkel
Daniel Tunkel currently sings with the Zemel Choir. B’tzeit Yisrael is one of the sequence of six Psalms constituting Hallel which are recited on festival days. Daniel composed his setting of Hallel to celebrate the Choir’s fiftieth Anniversary.
When Israel went forth out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of an alien tongue, Judah became His holy nation, Israel, His dominion…
Yih’yu L’ratzon A Z Idelsohn
Tenor solo: Marc Finer
A setting of Yih’yu L’ratzon, by the eminent cantor and musicologist Abraham Zvi Idelsohn, (b. 1882, Latvia, d. 1938, S.Africa). The words come from the end of the ‘Amidah’.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Hashkiveinu M Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Tenor solo: Marc Finer
A composer and pianist, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was born in Florence into an Italian Jewish family. In 1939 he moved to the United States, where, in common with other European composers in exile, he turned his hand to film music. He died in Los Angeles in 1968.
This piece is an extract his Sacred Service for the Sabbath Eve which dates from 1943, and is set in English and Hebrew to texts from both the American Reform and the traditional liturgies. It was premiered at New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue in 1950.
The Lord our God; make us lie down in peace, our King raise us again to life. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace, and direct us to better ourselves through Your good counsel.
Shiviti M Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Tenor solo: Marc Finer
Shiviti is one of the psalm settings from Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Memorial Service for the Departed.
I have set the Lord before me always; because He is at my right hand I shall not falter.
Por Que Llorax (based on a Sephardic folk song) Y Braun arr. J Jacobson
This arrangement of ‘Por Que Llorax’ was adapted from the fifth section of Yehezkel Braun’s ‘Seven Sephardic Romances’ a song cycle for solo voice and piano. These love songs stem from the traditions of the Jews who lived in Spain prior to the sixteenth century.
Why do you cry, fair girl? Why do you cry, white flower? I cry because of you, nobleman, because you’ve gone and left me!…I have little boys who cry and ask for bread! If they ask for their father what shall I tell them? He searched in his shirt and gave her a hundred doubloons…If this is not enough you know where you can go!..You’ll sell your vineyards and your fields from the border to the sea!
From Twelve Preludes for Unaccompanied Horn Y Braun
French Horn: Gavriella Goldman
Prelude I
Moderato - Allegretto
Prelude VII
Moderato
Yehezkel Braun was born in 1922 in Breslau, Germany, but has lived in Israel since 1924. He is a graduate of the Israel Academy of Music where he studied composition with A. U. Boscovich and he was the head of the same institution between 1979 and 1981. Braun became extremely interested in Gregorian chant and in 1975 he studied at the convent of St. Pierre de Solesmes with the choirmaster, Dom Jean Claire. Besides Gregorian chant, Braun is strongly influenced by the different musical traditions of the Israeli people. He currently lectures around the world on Jewish and Synagogue (liturgical) music as well as Gregorian chant and he has had a number of books published on these subjects. He has also had books published on harmony. Braun’s repertoire is wide and varied, including virtuosic and pedagogical instrumental works, concertos, vocal, orchestral and chamber music as well as scores for theatre and film.
The Preludes for Unaccompanied Horn (1985) demonstrate a strong influence of both Jewish and East-Mediterranean music and the introduction tells that
Although [the Preludes] include a variety of challenges, some of them quite demanding, it was not the intention of the composer to explore and to demonstrate all the technical resources of the instrument. Far from it, in these pieces technique should always be considered as subservient to the expression of musical ideas.
It is a rare privilege when a musician is able to discuss works which she or he performs, with the composer. Gavriella was lucky enough to have the opportunity, though briefly, to work with Yehezkel Braun on a couple of his Preludes for Unaccompanied Horn. Both composer and performer have discussed having this work recorded as, though it has been performed by some of the great horn players, sadly it has never been recorded. Gavriella is currently searching for a sponsor to enable her to travel to Israel to work with Maestro Braun and to record it in the country in which it was written.
Programme notes: Gavriella Goldman
Chanson hébraϊque (Hebraic Song) M Ravel
Tenor Solo: Marc Finer
Maurice Ravel, perhaps most popularly known for his Bolero, was also a prolific composer of art songs. He had a particular passion for folk song traditions, and he composed songs inspired by, among others, the Greek, Spanish and Italian traditions. But he had a special passion for Jewish liturgical and folk music, most notably composing a Kaddish and this Hebraic Song. The song is a dialogue between father and son. In Yiddish, the father lovingly questions his son, Mayerke, who answers his father in Hebrew. Despite its simple and repetitive melody, the song is stunning in its ability to at once define their relationship. The father is both teacher and affectionate parent; the young son is his eager pupil. But most beautifully and movingly of all, the lesson taught by the father is that of all the things we should ask of God, the first is children.
Programme notes: Marc Finer
Kiddush K Weill
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
Kurt Weill (1900 - 1950) is better known for his works in the field of music theatre such as ‘The Threepenny Opera’ and ‘The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny’. Kiddush was composed in 1946 for tenor solo, chorus and organ. It was commissioned by the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, where it was first performed during a Friday night service by Cantor David Putterman. The melody and arrangement is in cabaret style. It is dedicated to Weill’s father, Albert, who was a synagogue cantor.
‘Blessed art thou, O Lord who hallowest the Sabbath’
Zochreinu Bezikkoron S Alman
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
Samuel Alman (1877–1947) was born in Belarus, but emigrated to England in 1905. He was choirmaster at the Hampstead Synagogue. He was a prolific composer of many diverse works, but is best known for his liturgical music.
The text is from the Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service.
And I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt, in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord.
Ribbono Shel Olam S Alman
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
Soprano solo: Angela Lawrence
These words are recited after the counting of the Omer
Master of the universe you commanded us through the hands of Your servant, Moses, to count the Omer in order to purify us from our evil and defilement…
Yechadeshehu B Wolf
A setting for Synagogue choir, composed by the Zemel Choir’s current Musical Director. The words come from the Shabbat Morning Service preceding the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh).
May the Holy One, blessed be he, renew it unto us all his people, the house of Israel, for life and peace, for gladness and joy, for salvation and consolation; and let us say, Amen.
Hallelu et Shem B Wolf Mezzo-soprano solo: Ann Sadan
Violin solo: Ortal Goldman
This setting of Psalms 108 and 113 is based on an earlier piece entitled Nachon Ashirah commissioned in memory of Norma Roth OBE and performed by the Zemel Choir in 2004. The piece has been revised for this concert. Whilst the outer sections (Psalm 108) are almost identical to the original version, there is a completely new setting of Psalm 113 written in a more ‘folksy’ style containing an extended mezzo –soprano solo written specially for Ann, to commemorate her 40th year with the EDRS Choir.
My heart is steadfast O Lord; I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake harp and lyre; I will awake the dawn.
Praise God! Praise your servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord will be blessed from now forever.
Lebn Zol Columbus A Perlmutter & H Wohl, arr. C Rand
Solo: Ann Sadan
‘Lebn Zol Columbus’ is from the popular Yiddish musical comedy ‘The Green Millionaire’. It expresses the new immigrant’s amazement at how good life is in America, and the man whom they should thank for this bountiful land – Christopher Columbus.
America is a wonderful land, I swear! No wars, no guns, no bloodshed, no Czars, no tyrants! Oy, it’s good! Everybody sing: “Long live Columbus! ”Drink a toast my brothers! Long live Columbus for discovering the New World! Be happy! Pay no attention to the grumblers. Jews, let’s shout together, “Long live Columbus!”
Interval - 20 minutes
Refreshments will be served in the hall
Three Pieces from Schindler’s List John Williams
arranged for Horn, Violin and Cello arr. Rosanne R R C Goldman
The Goldman Ensemble
Theme from Schindler’s List
Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto Winter ’41)
Remembrances
“Whoever saves one life saves the world entire” is the Talmudic phrase embodied by the true story as recounted by Steven Spielberg’s film, Schindler’s List. It is the story of Righteous Gentile, Oscar Schindler, who saved over a thousand Jews from death in Nazi concentration camps. Schindler was a German businessman who came to Poland to make his fortune. He acquired a disused enamelware factory producing cookware for the Nazi army. An opportunist, he was persuaded by his Jewish accountant, Yitzhak Stern, to employ Jews as slave labourers and made himself a large profit. Though a member of the Nazi party, he was a horrified witness to the atrocities committed by the Germans on the Polish Jews and together with Stern, a list of ‘essential’ workers was created to save some of the Jewish community’s most vulnerable and cherished members; children, the frail and the elderly, who would have otherwise been exterminated immediately. These people were employed and Stern falsified documents certifying teachers and academics as machinery experts. Schindler used his entire fortune to bribe members of the Nazi party with whom he had favour.
The three pieces: Theme from Schindler’s List, Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto Winter ’41) and Remembrances exemplify the main thematic elements of the music accompanying the film, each portraying its own evocative and stirring mood.
Programme notes: Gavriella Goldman
Ma Yedidot C Salaman
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Soprano Solo: Danielle Phillips
Mezzo-soprano Solo: Ann Sadan
The West London Synagogue published three volumes of Synagogue music, in the early 20th century, from which Ma Yedidot, a setting of Psalm 84, has become almost de rigueur for inclusion in wedding services, though not usually sung in its entirety.
Simchu et Yerushalayim – Isaiah 66:10 Hassidic arr. A Sadan
Tenor solo: Alan Kutner
Ann Sadan composed this lively arrangement.
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad with all who love her - share with her your joy all who once mourned for her.
A Nign L Magister & L Weiner arr. J Jacobson
Solo: Ann Sadan
Hassidism stresses the importance of spiritual transcendence and the achievement of that state through meditation, dancing and singing. The ultimate song was the ‘nign’, a devotional wordless tune that would be sung over and over. ‘Tshiri bim bam’ are syllables like ‘fa la la’ with no discursive meaning but with tremendous spiritual resonance.
Once upon a time there was a poor man .All he did was quarrel with God. Wonders and wonders befell him when he sang a tune like this: Tshiri bim bam bam…From this tune flowed wine, and he swallowed gulp after gulp. Wonders and wonders befell him… As the Jew sang, and sweetness flowed, he actually leapt for joy! Wonders and wonders befell him…
Yismechu A Ellstein
Tenor solo: Alan Kutner
This setting of Yismechu, a Sabbath table song, by Abraham Ellstein, has been a great favourite with chazans, for its lively tune, and sense of joy.
May all who keep the Sabbath and call it a delight rejoice in Your rule. May all the people who make it holy find serenity and delight in Your goodness…
Prayer from Jewish Life for Cello and Piano E Bloch
Cello: Tirzah Goldman
Piano: Benjamin Wolf
Andante Moderato
Ernest Bloch was born on 24 July 1880 in Geneva. A violinist and composer, he traveled around Europe and in 1916 he immigrated to the United States of America, becoming a citizen in 1924 and holding a number of teaching posts in his adopted country. After spending most of the 1930s in his native Switzerland, he later returned to the USA. He died at Agate Beach, Oregon in 1959. Bloch wrote a number of compositions based on Jewish subjects and writings. He composed From Jewish Life while he was Director of the Cleveland Institute of Music, in 1925. It was composed for the cellist Hans Kindler, a well known cellist who performed in recitals with Rachmaninov and Ravel. Bloch is primarily known as a composer of Jewish music. From Jewish Life is a collection of three short pieces, or sketches, about Jewish life composed for cello and piano. Prayer is the first sketch. The themes of the piece are atonement and reflection. It is meditative and melancholy. He employs elements evocative of Jewish sadness, such as semi-tones and augmented intervals, reminiscent of crying. When discussing his work Bloch once said
‘It is the Jewish soul that interests me, the complex, glowing, agitated soul which I feel vibrating throughout the Bible … this is in me, and is the better part of me. It is this which I endeavour to transcribe in my music; the venerable soul of the race that slumbers way down in our soul.’
Programme notes: Gavriella Goldman
Solo – to be announced Mezzo-soprano: Ann Sadan
Lech Lamidbar A Argov arr. Dudley Cohen
A fast snappy folksong, arranged by the Choir’s founder, Dudley Cohen, where the goal is to drive into the desert and transform it into the oasis of the worker’s dream.
I Have a Little Dreydel M Gelbart arr. Teyku & Lazar
Tenor solo: Marc Finer
A jazzy setting of a children’s Chanukah song.
Sh’hecheyonu M Machtenberg
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
A setting by Meyer Machtenberg in 1951 of the blessing recited on festivals and special occasions.
‘Blessed are you, Oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.’
Yom Zeh l’Yisrael/Yismach Mosheh Sephardic folksongs
arr: J Jacobson
Solos: Robert Brody
Alan Kutner
Marc Finer
Ann Sadan
Arab drum: Linda Brody
This arrangement is based on two lively melodies from the ancient Spanish-Jewish tradition as interpreted by the great cantor Alberto Mizrahi.
Yom Zeh Le Yisrael is a Sabbath table song. ‘This is Israel’s day, light and joy, restful Sabbath.’ Yismach Mosheh comes from the Sabbath liturgy. ‘Moses would rejoice in his given portion. And what did You call him? You called him Your faithful servant. And what did You give Him? You placed a royal crown on his head.’
Programme notes: Gary Tucker except where otherwise stated
THE ZEMEL CHOIR
The Zemel Choir, established by Dudley Cohen in 1955, is proud of its international reputation as one of the world’s finest mixed voice Jewish choirs. Our wide ranging repertoire embraces all the traditional Jewish cultures, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yiddish and Israeli. We regularly perform in major venues throughout the U.K. and overseas, and besides singing well known favourites, are particularly proud to present new music, often specially commissioned, from contemporary composers.
In November 2005 the Choir celebrated it’s Golden Anniversary with a concert at St John’s, Smith Square. TV and Radio appearances include the 1986 live television and radio broadcast of Kaddish at Terezin from Canterbury Cathedral, the Expressions of Reconciliation and Hope service in York Minster in 1990, the special edition of Radio 4’s Sunday Worship in January 2001, when we were chosen to represent the British Jewish community as part of the Holocaust Day commemoration and most recently in January 2005 participating in BBC1’s Songs of Praise, The Holocaust Remembered.
Over the years we have made many recordings, the most recent of which – The English Tradition of Jewish Choral Music conducted by Robert Max with cantor Moshe Haschel – was described by music critic Malcolm Miller as “a fascinating and beautifully performed selection of synagogue music from the 19th and 20th centuries”.
We have travelled extensively to the U.S.A., Canada, Israel, and Eastern and Western Europe, and in 1993 participated in the Polish Holocaust Memorial ceremonies in Warsaw and Treblinka to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. At the 1996 Zimriyah Choral Festival in Jerusalem we were invited to sing at the opening ceremony concert which was broadcast live on Israel Radio. Our latest overseas trip was in October 2001 when we made a most successful tour of The Czech Republic and Hungary.
Plans for 2007 include a trip to Belgium, France and Luxembourg in April and several concerts in and around London including the Zemel Choir’s ‘Celebrate with Song’ workshops and concert in June and beyond that a further recording.
The Choir has maintained its reputation as a result of professional musical direction, and a strong commitment to rehearsals by its members. We come together not only to sing, but to be part of a warm and friendly social group. We are always happy to welcome new members, especially altos and tenors and to find out more about us, visit our website at www.the-zemel-choir.org or phone our membership secretary, Doreen Havardi on 020 8868 8423.
BENJAMIN WOLF
Musical Director - The Zemel Choir
Benjamin Wolf studied at University College, Oxford, Trinity College of Music and King’s College, London. As orchestral conductor he has worked for the BBC Proms and performs regularly with The Wallace Ensemble, a young professional orchestra of which he is co-founder. Recent performances with this orchestra have included a concert of Israeli/orchestral klezmer music at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the first performance of his piano concerto, L’Chaim and the inaugural Wallace Ensemble composition prize. He has also participated in masterclasses with Benjamin Zander and the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, with Kenneth Montgomery and the National Symphony Orchestra of Lithuania, and with Stephen Cleobury and the BBC Singers.
Since becoming Musical Director of The Zemel Choir in 2003, he has performed at a number of major London venues, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, St John’s, Smith Square, St James’ Church, Piccadilly and the Victoria and Albert Museum. In January 2005 he conducted The Zemel Choir in a special edition of the BBC’s Songs of Praise. In November he conducted them in their 50th anniversary concert at St John’s Smith Square. He is Musical Director of the Rushmoor Choir of Aldershot, and regularly conducts the Quorum Chamber Choir.
Increasingly active as a composer, he was recently commissioned to write the incidental music for an adaptation of Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market at the Southwark Playhouse. Other credits include music for Frederic Lonsdale’s Canaries Sometime Sing (performed in London and France in 2003). He was commissioned to write a setting of two psalms for a Zemel Choir concert in June 2004, and completed his first piano concerto, L’Chaim, in November 2003. Other works include choral motets, piano solo works, chamber pieces and songs.
As pianist, he performs regularly with a number of singers and instrumentalists. He works regularly with opera singer Ruti Halvani, with whom he has performed in a number of venues in the UK and Europe.
He is currently studying for a PhD in the social history of twentieth-century music.
MAUREEN CREESE
Assistant Musical Director & Accompanist - The Zemel Choir
Maureen Creese studied at The Royal College of Music where she gained the GRSM Degree. She found herself much in demand accompanist and now divides her time between teaching and performing.
As well as choral training, one of Maureen’s main interests is Opera. She has been associated with the Harrow Opera Workshop for a number of years.
Maureen joined The Zemel Choir in 1976, initially as its accompanist and has now worked with six of the Choir’s Musical Directors. In 1979 she was appointed Assistant Musical Director. She has toured extensively with the Choir and has appeared at all its major concerts both in England and abroad.
During the 1993‑1994 season, Maureen successfully stepped in as Acting Musical Director while the Choir sought a new permanent appointment. Maureen conducted a number of concerts during this time, including conducting the Choir at the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey and was honoured by being presented to H.M. The Queen on that occasion.
Again in 1998/99 Maureen adapted to the position of Acting Musical Director, after the resignation of Robert Max and before the appointment of Vivienne Bellos as Musical Director. She continues to give loyal support in her role as the Assistant Musical Director to the Choir’s current Musical Director Benjamin Wolf and as its regular accompanist.
ROBERT BRODY
Tenor
Robert Brody, ARCM, LRAM began his vocal studies at the Birmingham College of Music whilst he was a student. On returning to London he continued at the Trinity College of Music and then with Benvenuto Finelli who introduced him to the Bel Canto vocal technique.
He has given recitals in London’s leading venues, has recorded for RCA, EMI and the BBC, as well as his own recordings which have achieved wide acclaim. He has often been heard on international radio and television.
Whilst enjoying performing secular music and oratorio, Robert Brody has also on many occasions been called on to act as Cantor in Synagogue Services throughout England, on the Continent, in Israel, Canada and the U.S.A. He visited Theresienstadt in the Czech Republic to record “Cantorial Music of the Ghetto” for BBC TV and has conducted memorial services in Warsaw, at Auschwitz and Treblinka. Robert appeared with the Zemel Choir on BB1’s Songs of Praise – ‘The Holocaust Remembered’ in January 2005.
Besides his own solo recordings, he has also recorded with the BBC Singers for a Radio 3 series “Sacred and Profane” and music by Louis Lewandowski with The Zemel Choir with whom he has often appeared as their principal soloist. With the Choir, he has sung in the presence of H.M. The Queen at the Royal Albert Hall. He has participated in choral festivals in many countries including the Eisteddfod and the Zimriyah in Israel.
ALAN KUTNER
Tenor
After leading several choirs in Orthodox Synagogues from the age of 19, Alan Kutner was invited to become Choirmaster of E.D.R.S. in 1976, which role he fulfilled until 1984, when he was invited to become the Cantor there, leading the singing from the Bimah, a role he has kept until the present time.
He was also a member of the Zemel Choir for about four years from 1977 until 1981, when he left to pursue his interests in amateur opera productions by joining Southgate Opera. He has also been a member of Brent Opera, Hampstead Garden Opera and Harrow Opera, performing several main and character tenor roles until five years ago, when he retired from this activity.
MARC FINER
Tenor
Marc is EDRS’s assistant chazzan and deputy choirmaster, and he has been a member of the synagogue choir since he was 12 years old. He first took a keen interest in singing at University College School, and later sang in two chapel choirs and in the elite University Chamber Choir whilst reading geography at Girton College, Cambridge. In 2004 he was awarded the London Girton Association music award, given annually to a talented vocalist or instrumentalist. Marc remains the only singer ever to have won the award.
Marc works regularly as a wedding cantor and tenor soloist. His oratorio repertoire includes Bach’s St John Passion and Christmas Oratorio and Haydn’s Seasons, and in recent years he has given recitals of music spanning Schumann Lieder, French and English art song, French and Russian opera and musical theatre. In August 2006 Marc gave a concert at EDRS of operatic arias and songs from musical theatre to an audience of more than 300, with Ann Sadan as a special guest and Benjamin Wolf accompanying.
Despite his love for singing, Marc’s full-time work is as a trainee solicitor at international commercial law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he currently works in the banking and finance team. Tonight is Marc’s second concert with the Zemel Choir, and he is delighted to be celebrating Ann’s special occasion with her this evening.
THE GOLDMAN ENSEMBLE
Gavriella, Tirzah and Ortal Goldman were all born in Israel. The family immigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1987 where they began learning their individual instruments. In 1996 they returned to Israel and in 2001 they arrived in the United Kingdom. Music was an integral part of their lives from infancy as their mother is a musician and music educationalist. The sisters have been performing together from early on in their musical education and have established the Goldman Ensemble. They regularly perform throughout the United Kingdom. In 2006 they were selected to perform a concert in memory of the victims of the London Bombings at St Martin-in-the-Fields for the first anniversary of the tragedy. In 2005 they released their debut CD, Members of the Goldman Ensemble in Concert, recorded at the Wigmore Hall. Further information is available on their website. www.goldmanensemble.com
Gavriella, horn, was born in 1978. She initially learnt with John Dobbie, former principal horn player with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and later with Robert Johnson, principal horn player with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1991 she became a member of the Sydney Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and in 1996 she joined the celebrated SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra. Gavriella is the recipient of numerous awards. In 1995, at the age of seventeen, she was the inaugural winner and the only wind player to ever win the Nelly Apt Opera and Singers Trust Award in Australia, one of the most prestigious prizes existing in that country. The prize was again hers the following year. Upon her return to Israel she studied with Michael Slatkin, associate principal horn player with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1998, she joined the Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and while in Israel, she took part in various professional performances, including concerts with members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Gavriella has attended masterclasses with Hermann Baumann and Radovan Vlatkovic. She earned the B.Mus degree at the Samuel Rubin Academy of Music at the Tel Aviv University, where she graduated with the highest results in the brass class and the MA (Performance Practice) degree at the University of York where she was the recipient of the Sir Jack and Lady Lyons Millennium Scholarship.
Tirzah, ‘cello, was born in 1979. She began to learn at the age of eight, first with Philippa Jackson and later with Judith Dobbie. In 1993 she became a member of the Sydney Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and later joined the celebrated SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra. Upon her return to Israel, Tirzah studied the ‘cello with Dr. David Sela of the Adam Trio. In 1998 she went on to study at the Samuel Rubin Academy of Music at the Tel Aviv University with Hillel Zori and Emanuel Gruber. Tirzah attended masterclasses with Uzi Wiezel, Stephen Isserlis and Mstislav Rostropovich. While in Israel she was a member of the Zavelsky Quartet. Tirzah is the recipient of a number of awards including a scholarship from the South African Federation and, in 1992, was the inaugural winner of the Masada College music scholarship, Australia. Upon her arrival in the UK, she studied the ‘cello with Robert Bailey and later with Leonid Gorokhov.
Ortal, violin, was born in 1984. She began to learn the violin at the age of five with Robyn Brookfield, member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and in 1993 she became a member of the Sydney Youth Chamber Orchestra. Later she joined the SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra, as their youngest member. Upon her return to Israel Ortal took violin lessons with Eliyahu Shulman of the Adam Trio and concertmaster of the Israel Chamber Orchestra. She also attended courses at Matan Summer Music School in Israel and the English National Chamber Music
Summer Camp. In 2000, at the age of sixteen, she went on to study music at Bar Ilan University and while in Israel Ortal was a member of the Zavelsky Quartet. She is the recipient of a number of awards including a scholarship from the South African Federation. Since coming to the UK she has continued to study the violin with Ofer Falk.
EDGWARE & DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE CHOIR
Director of Music: Alan Kutner Choirmaster: Ann Sadan
The Synagogue Choir was originally formed with a trio of professional singers - Mary Bonin (Soprano), Jack Rosse (Tenor) and Charles Holford (Bass) - and Norma Roth was soon drafted in as Alto to complete the quartet. Later, a children’s choir was established under the direction of Linda Addison, who had replaced Mary Bonin on the soprano line. It was this choir that Ann joined at the age of six. The Choir was gradually extended over the years to include more adults, and many members of the children’s choir have graduated to the adult choir. Alan Kutner joined the choir, initially as choirmaster, and later as cantor, when Ann Sadan became choirmaster.
The Choir sings at regularly at Sabbath morning services, as well as for festivals and weddings, and occasionally charity concerts. A children’s choir also sings at Friday evening services, once a month. Sabbath and festival services are always sung without instrumental accompaniment, and with cantor, Alan Kutner, or deputy cantor, Marc Finer, leading services. Weddings can be accompanied by organ. A CD recorded by the Synagogue Choir, with many favourite items from the repertoire is available.