Norma Roth Memorial Concert at EDRS 13th June 2004
A Concert to Celebrate the Life of
Norma Roth O.B.E.
1927-2003
Musical Director: Benjamin Wolf
Assistant Musical Director: Maureen Creese
Tenor: Robert Brody
Piano: Margaret Fingerhut
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Conductor: Ann Sadan
Tenor: Alan Kutner
The Roth Jam Quartet
Sunday 13th June 2004
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue
118 Stonegrove, Edgware, Middx HA8 8AB
In aid of EDRS Lift Project, Macmillan Cancer Relief and Gray Cancer Institute
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Yom Zeh Le-Yisrael arr. D Cohen
Yihyu L’ratzon E Bloch
Duggit Nosa’at arr. D Cohen
He watching over Israel F Mendelssohn
Se’u She’arim S Naumbourg
The Roth Jam Quartet
Ambidextrous Simon Roth
A selection of Klezmer tunes
The Griffin Nick Roth
Thomas Sadan
Polka Dancla Lee Sadan
Chicken Reel Hilary Burgoyne
Speaker - Rabbi Daniel Smith - Senior Minister, Edgware & District Reform Synagogue
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Tea for Two V Youmans arr. P Gritton
Deep River arr. HT Burleigh
I Got Rhythm George & Ira Gershwin arr. C Clapham
Ani Ma’amin Trad. Arr. A Kaplan
Kaddish arr. J Malovany
Short Interval
The Zemel Choir
Shir Tsiltsulim M Wilensky
Reve Ta Stogne Ukrainian Folk Song
Hava Nagila Hassidic, arr. D Factori
Shomeir Yisroeil S Alman
Kiddush K Weill
Speaker - Tobe Aleksander
Margaret Fingerhut
Polonaise in F sharp minor op.44 F Chopin
The Zemel Choir
Simchu Na M Weiner, arr. L Bernstein
Al Tira Mipachad Pitom (First Concert Performance) Chani Haran-Smith
2 Ben Haim songs (3 sisters & Puncha) Trad arr. P Ben-Haim
A Din Toire E Jospe
Chad Gad Yoh M Oysher arr. A Ellstein
Both Choirs
Nachon Ashira (First Performance) Benjamin Wolf
Refreshments will be served at the end of the concert.
Norma Theresa Roth O.B.E.
Born on 3rd Sept 1927, the only daughter of Robert Hyman Maynard and Sadie Maynard (nee Davis) in West Ham, Norma lived as a child in Highbury, attending Highbury Vale School. She was awarded a Scholarship to North London Collegiate School and a Violin and Singing Scholarship for 3 years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, though the latter was interrupted by the outbreak of the War. Her parents moved to Edgware in order to allow her to continue her education at North London. Following the death of her mother in June 1945, when Norma was 17, her plans to go to university were disrupted, so instead, she undertook a secretarial course at Pitman’s. She joined the merchant bank, M. Samuel, and later worked in the family couture business in Bond Street. Whilst working in the city, she was a member of the Baltic Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, alternating between performing and Assistant Stage Management.
Norma met Laurie Roth, a student at Guy’s Hospital Dental School. After his graduation and subsequent National Service in the Royal Navy, they were married at Golders Green Synagogue in December 1952. They joined Edgware & District Reform Synagogue the following year and their son, Nigel was born in October 1953, followed by Philip (1960) and Peter (1962). She joined the Synagogue’s Drama Group, stage managing a number of productions including the Diary of Anne Frank, and sang in the Synagogue Choir, of which she was an active member for over 35 years, including deputising as conductor, on occasion.
Norma and Laurie were founder members of the Stanmore branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research (later the Cancer Research Campaign), which raised many thousands of pounds for Cancer Research and the Gray Laboratory at Mount Vernon Hospital. She also joined the Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem North West London Women’s Group, serving a term as vice-chairman.
In 1970, Norma became Chairman of the Synagogue Ladies Guild, and later took the chair of the Social Services committee, which founded the Friendship Club and Mums & Tots. She founded the Trolley service at the Jewish Welfare Board’s Morton House at Hemel Hempstead and later founded the EDRS Day Centre, drawing inspiration from Cicely Barnett, who used to regularly visit “her old folks”, many of whom were considerably younger than herself. She continued to run the Day Centre, with the aid of a team of volunteers, for several years, and was later asked by the Jewish Welfare Board, to set up the Rosetta House shop in the sheltered accommodation at Hemel Hempstead, to cater for those residents who found it difficult to get out to the shops. She continued to co-ordinate this until 1999, buying supplies and manning the shop once a week, with a further team of volunteers making a second visit later each week. She served on the Synagogue’s House Committee, and as a delegate to the RSGB Council. She also founded the Shul Shuttle, a service to bring members of the Synagogue to services, which she continued to manage for many years. The synagogue honoured her as Eshet Chayil Torah, at its Simchat Torah festivities in 1997.
She joined The Zemel Choir in 1972, singing alto, and served a term as Chairman from 1985-88, during which time the Choir toured North America and Israel, in addition to its regular programme of concerts in the UK. In over thirty years with the Choir, she sang in all the major concert halls in London, and in Canterbury, St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals, York Minster and Westminster Abbey, as well as singing in the presence of HM The Queen and of The President of the State of Israel. She also sang with the Pro Musica Chorus for 4 years, visiting Barcelona and Paris as well as performing in concerts in London at the Royal Opera House, among others. She was a founder member of Quartissimo ladies barbershop quartet, which entertained at many friendship clubs, day centres and residential homes in and around London.
Norma became Chairman of the Association of Women’s Guilds of the RSGB, and was an instigator in starting the Caring Community Committee to encourage Reform Synagogues to consider ways of looking after the needs of their members. She served a term as Chairman of the Association of Jewish Women’s Organisations, an umbrella organisation with representatives of Jewish Women’s organisations across the entire community. She served a term as a member of the Executive of RSGB, was a member of the RSGB’s Family Working Party, and chaired RSGB’s Congregational Development Committee. She was also Chairman of the trustees of the Manor House Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling.
For some time, Reform Synagogue Guilds had been affiliated to the National Council of Women and she was asked to represent the Guilds on their Mass Media committee, later transferring to the Health Committee. She became Chairman of the NCW Health Committee and when Ros Preston, then President of NCW, wanted a major event for International Women’s Day in 1990, they organised a whole day with speakers, stands and sponsors and launched a survey to discover what women wanted for themselves and their families. This resulted in the Charter for Women’s Health long before the Government brought in charters. She was asked to represent NCW on the Women’s Health and Screening Delegation, a body representing 15 of the major national voluntary women’s organisations, which met with the Minister for Health, then Edwina Currie, and officials from the Department of Health, to discuss women’s health concerns. When the Chairman, Eve Martin, was appointed Co-Chair of the Women’s National Commission, she was asked to take the Chair of the Delegation, which continued to meet with ministers, including Virginia Bottomley and later Baroness Cumberlege. Subjects for discussion included cervical and breast screening, organ donors and HIV/AIDS, and they worked with the National AIDS Trust and the Health Education Authority on a 3-year series of working seminars all over the country on this subject, which were supported by Princess Margaret and the Princess of Wales.
In the New Year’s Honours list 1996, she was awarded an O.B.E. for services to health, which she received from H.M. The Queen in March 1996.
Norma became a member of the steering committee of the Breast Care Campaign, and was asked to join the advisory board of the Pennell Initiative for Women’s Health. Following the 1997 general election, the Delegation met with the new Minister for Health, Tessa Jowell, and later Yvette Cooper, and was asked to form the core of a new health group for the Women’s National Commission. This group, which she co-chaired, met with officials and discussed areas such as Chlamydia screening, infertility, breast screening for the over 65s, mental healthcare services, maternity services, mixed sex wards, shortage of nurses, cost of nursing the elderly, TB vaccines in schools, national service framework for diabetes, informed choice, alternative medicine and many others.
Throughout all this, she remained a dedicated wife, mother and later, grandmother, and was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away peacefully on 15th November 2003, after a few month’s illness.
Message from Norma’s family
We would like to express our thanks to all who have given so freely of their time and talents to help make this concert a fitting tribute to Norma’s life. All the performers this evening have donated their services freely, and we would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from the Synagogue office and staff and from the Lift Project committee. We have also received support from many family and friends, who are unable to be here tonight, but have sent in generous donations.
Without them and especially without you, the audience, this could not have come about, and the charities that Norma supported and which helped her would not have benefited.
We are very grateful to you all.
Laurie, Nigel, Philip and Peter Roth
PROGRAMME NOTES
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Yom Zeh L’Yisrael Trad. arr. Dudley Cohen
“This is Israel’s day of light and joy, the Sabbath of rest”. One of the best known Sabbath table hymns, sung to a happy traditional melody in a sparkling arrangement by the founder of the Zemel Choir, Dudley Cohen, who was also, for a time, choirmaster at Edgware & District Reform Synagogue. It was through his influence that Norma was persuaded to join the Zemel Choir.
Yih’yu L’ratzon from Sacred Service E. Bloch
Bloch’s musical output was distinguished by a poetic absorption in the spiritual heritage of the Jewish people. Avodath Hakodesh, Sacred Service, is a setting for cantor, choir and orchestra of the major portions of the Sabbath morning service. Yih’yu L’ratzon is the unaccompanied chorale which opens the third of the five sections of the work. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Duggit Nosa’at Old Russian folk tune arr. D. Cohen
A little fishing boat is out at sea. Her sailors have all fallen asleep. A little boy strolls along the shore, crying. His eyes stream with tears. If the sailors do not wake up, he realises the boat cannot get back to shore.
He Watching Over Israel F. Mendelssohn
This chorus comes from Part 2 of Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah, which was first performed in Birmingham in 1846, conducted by the composer. “He watching over Israel slumbers not, nor sleeps…”
Se’u She’arim S. Naumbourg
Tenor solo: Alan Kutner
This setting of part of Psalm 24 is by Samuel Naumbourg (1815-1880), who in 1845 became the first Chazan at Temple Consistorial de Paris, recommended by the composer, Halevy. “Lift up your head, O ye gates… And the King of glory shall enter. Selah”
The Roth Jam Quartet
Ambidextrous Simon Roth
A selection of Klezmer tunes
The Griffin Nick Roth
Thomas Sadan
Polka Dancla
Lee Sadan
Chicken Reel Hilary Burgoyne
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Tea for Two V. Youmans arr. P. Gritton
The first of two items this evening from the repertoire, which was performed by the ladies’ barbershop quartet, Quartissimo, of which Norma was a member. This well known song by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Irving Caesar, was arranged for mixed voice choir by Peter Gritton.
Deep River arr. H.T. Burleigh
This spiritual was a favourite of Norma’s, owing to its strong melodic alto line.
I Got Rhythm George & Ira Gershwin arr. C. Clapham
One of the Gershwin brothers’ most famous songs, from the hit Broadway show, Girl Crazy (1930), adapted here for mixed voice choir by Christopher Clapham. The second of tonight’s items of barbershop repertoire.
Ani Ma’amin Trad. arr. A. Kaplan
The thirteen articles of the Jewish Faith are based on the Principles of Judaism enunciated by Moses Maimonides in the 12th century C.E. Ani Ma’amin is the twelfth article: “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and though he tarry, I wait daily for his coming.”
The words, sung to this melody, were the battle hymn of the desperate defenders of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943.
Kaddish arr. J. Malovany
Tenor solo: Alan Kutner
This setting of the Kaddish Titkabel is from the Selichot service, when prayers for forgiveness are recited in preparation for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. It is traditionally held at midnight, and is often marked by a choral service. The composer, Joseph Malovany, is the cantor of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in New York.
Interval
The Zemel Choir
Shir Tsiltsulim – A Song of Bells Text: Y. Mohar, Music M. Wilensky
Moshe Wilensky (b. 1910) uses the Israeli folk music idiom to echo the sound of the bells on a shepherd’s flock as they are being led from the hills to their pens in Bet Lechen.
Reve Ta Stogne – The Mighty Dnieper Ukrainian folk song
Words: T. Shevchenko
The words of this famous Ukrainian folksong were written by Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861). Norma’s grandmother, to whom she was very close, originally came from Zhitomir in the Ukraine, hence the inclusion of this piece.
The mighty Dnieper roars and bellows,
The wind in anger howls and raves,
Down to the ground it bends the willows,
And mountain-high lifts up the waves…
(Translated by John Weir, Toronto)
Hava Nagila Music: Hassidic, arr. D. Factori
Lyrics: M. Nathanson
A spirited choral setting of this well-known song.
‘Come let us be glad and rejoice. Arise brethren with a joyful heart.’
Shomeir Yisroeil S. Alman
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
Samuel Alman (1877 – 1947) was perhaps the most dedicated composer and arranger for the Synagogue ever to live and work in England, From 1916 he was Choirmaster at the Hampstead Synagogue.
Shomeir Yisroeil is Alman’s best-known composition for the Synagogue. Its simple, honest, heart-rendering melody matches the humility of the prayer, from the Morning Service: ‘Guardian of Israel, guard the remnant of Israel and suffer not Israel to perish…’ It is often sung during the Selichot (Penitential) service preceding the High Holydays, though more usually in one of many arrangements for solo and a capella choir and not with organ as the composer originally intended.
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 cabaret style. It is dedicated to Weill’s father Albert who was a synagogue cantor, ‘Blessed art Thou, O Lord who hallowest the Sabbath’
Margaret Fingerhut
Polonaise in F sharp minor op.44 F. Chopin
A raw and overwhelming work, composed in 1841. Huneker asks us to “consider the musical weight of the work, the recklessly bold outpourings of a mind almost distraught! There is no greater test for the poet-pianist.” Liszt called it the “lurid hour that precedes a hurricane,” while John Ogdon sees in it a “Goya-like intensity.” The central section is a mazurka preceded by two pages of the strangest monotony, reverberating madly. The psychological impact is shattering. This work finds Chopin’s spirit far from the elegant world of the Parisian salon. Chopin’s polonaises were among Norma’s favourite pieces of music.
The Zemel Choir
Simchu Na Lyrics and melody: M. Weiner, arr. L. Bernstein
This is a setting of a well-known Hebrew song by Matityahu Weiner which like so many other songs of the Zionist pioneers, who went to Palestine to settle and rebuild the land, has achieved folksong status. This arrangement, was originally composed by Bernstein for the Pacific Symphonetta and Chorus for the dancer Corrine Chochem for her album ‘Four Horah Dances.’ The piano-choral transcription, was made by Reuven Kosakoff
‘Let us celebrate and throw off our burden! It’s a joyous holiday for us : a great day for us. We have created something out of nothing with the hand that sows and ploughs…’
Al Tira Mipachad Pitom Chani Haran-Smith
- Proverbs 3:25, Isaiah 8:10 & Isaiah 46:4
This silent prayer appears in traditional prayer books after the ‘Aleinu’. It encourages us to help ourselves and each other when we confront life’s difficulties. At the same time we are reminded, in God’s words, that God is both our creator and our redeemer. The text comprises verses from the books of Isaiah and Proverbs. This is the first concert performance of this work.
‘Do not fear sudden terror, or the disaster that comes upon the wicked’ (Proverbs 3:25)
‘Hatch a plot - it shall be foiled; Agree on action - it shall not succeed, For God is with us.’ (Isaiah 8:10)
‘Till you grow old, I will still be the same; when you turn grey, it is I who will carry; I was the maker and I will be the bearer; and I will carry and rescue [you].’ (Isaiah 46:4)
Tres Hermanicas Eran & Puncha Puncha Ladino Poems, Music: Trad
arr. P. Ben-Haim
These two pieces come from a set of six folksong arrangements for mixed choir by Paul Ben-Haim (1897 - 1982) of songs collected by Yizhak Levy and published in his “Book of Romances and Folksongs of the Sephardi Jews”.
1) Tres Hermanicas Eran – Three Little Sisters
They were three little sisters… Two of them are married ..One has lost herself.. The father in shame sent her to Rhodes. In the middle of the way a castle arose. A man came to know it …Drowned himself in the sea.
2) Puncha, Puncha – Prick, Prick
Prick, prick the perfumed rose, Love makes suffer, suffer badly, You are not made for me, Hasten to leave me alone.
A Din Toire mit Gott - A Judgement against God E. Jospe
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev (Hoshakov, Galicia, 1748 – 1809, Berditchev, Ukraine) was a Chassidic Rabbi, who was renowned for his piety and gentleness. Yet he had no hesitation in challenging God about the oppression, persecution and injustice suffered by the Jewish people. The melody is a free chant incorporating themes out of the nusach (prayer chant) likely to be familiar to his congregation. Erwin Jospe wrote this arrangement published in 1951 for tenor, mixed choir and piano.
‘Almighty God! Good morning to You, Almighty God! I, Levy Yitzhok,son of Sarah of Berditchev, Have come for judgement against you on behalf of Israel. What do you want of your people, Israel? Why do you afflict your people Israel?’
Chad Gad Yoh M. Oysher arr. A. Ellstein
Tenor solo: Robert Brody
A rousing rendition of the song which ends the Passover Seder. Its structure is similar to The House that Jack built, and it features the kid that father bought, the cat, the dog, the stick, the fire, the water, the ox, the slaughterer and the angel of death, and the Holy One, Blessed be He.
The Zemel Choir
and
Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Nachon Ashirah (First Performance) Benjamin Wolf
Psalm 108 vv 1-3 and Psalm 113 Flute: Chani Haran-Smith
Nachon Ashirah was commissioned by the Roth family in memory of Norma Roth. The text combines two psalms - 108 (verses 1 - 3) and 113. The music is written in three sections, with Psalm 113 forming the centre of the piece, and the words of Psalm 108 framing the central section. The setting of Psalm 113 is intended for use as part of the Hallel section of the liturgy
for festivals. The opening and closing sections are more lyrical and vocally challenging, with a melody inspired by Jewish folk music (using the Ahava Raba or Freygish mode, commonly used by klezmer musicians). The choice of text is due mainly to Chani Smith, who also plays the flute part in this first performance. Both she and I feel that the words of psalm 108 bring Norma to mind - ‘Steadfast is my heart, O God. I will sing and make music even with my soul.’
REFRESHMENTS
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. Its wide ranging repertoire embraces all the traditional Jewish cultures, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yiddish and Israeli. It regularly performs in major venues throughout the U.K. and overseas, and besides singing well known favourites, is particularly proud to present new music, often specially commissioned, from contemporary composers.
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, and the special edition of Radio 4’s Sunday Worship in January 2001, when the Choir were chosen to represent the British Jewish community as part of the Holocaust Day commemoration.
Over the years The Zemel Choir has 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”.
The Choir has 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.
The Choir’s latest overseas trip was in October 2001 when it made a most successful tour of The Czech Republic and Hungary. Plans for 2004 include concerts in and around London throughout the year, 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 Classics at University College, Oxford, and conducting and composition at Trinity College of Music, London. He graduated with distinction in 2001, winning the Friends in New York of TCM prize. He now works as a freelance musician in and around London. In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, he is also frequently asked to perform as a pianist and singer.
As an orchestral conductor, he has worked for the BBC Proms (Composer Portrait concerts in 2003 and 2001) and participated in masterclasses with Benjamin Zander and the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, and with Kenneth Montgomery and the National Symphony Orchestra of Lithuania. He is also co-founder and conductor of the Wallace Ensemble, a professional orchestra based in Westminster. Recent concerts with this orchestra have included the first performance of his own piano concerto, L’Chaim (November 2003), the Inaugural Wallace Ensemble Composition Prize (March 2003) and the Marylebone Schools Concert (November 2002). He was also invited to conduct at a concert in honour of Sir Malcolm Arnold’s 80th birthday at the Savile Club in 2001.
He has long been involved in choral music as both singer and conductor. He was a choral scholar at Oxford, and sang with a number of groups, including Close Harmony and Madrigal Ensembles. As Music Director of the Zemel Choir (the UK’s leading mixed-voice Jewish Choir) since 2003, he performs regularly in venues including St John’s, Smith Square and St James’s, Piccadilly. Other recent concerts have included the Jewish Arts Festival, Brighton and the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Festivals of Light’ Series. He is also the conductor of the Norwood Green Choral Society, with whom he performs regular concerts in West London. He frequently conducts the Quorum chamber choir. Recent projects with this choir have included a concert at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (in aid of Voices for Hospices) and a CD recording of sacred choral music (released in December 2003). He recently participated in a masterclass with Stephen Cleobury and the BBC Singers, and is currently working as temporary Chazan at Belsize Square Synagogue.
Increasingly active as a composer, he wrote the incidental music for a production of Frederic Lonsdale’s Canaries Sometime Sing in July 2003 (performed at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington and subsequently taken on tour to France). He also recently completed L’Chaim. He has been commissioned to write settings of two psalms dedicated to the memory of Norma Roth, a past chairman of The Zemel Choir, for performance at a memorial concert in June 2004.
As pianist, recent recitals have included performances with cellist Alison Holford at Lauderdale House, Charlton House and the Westridge Arts Centre in Highclere.
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.
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.
MARGARET FINGERHUT
Piano
The distinguished pianist Margaret Fingerhut has captivated audiences throughout the world with her innovative and entertaining recital programmes combining popular and more unusual repertoire. She has performed extensively in Europe, the USA, Scandinavia, Israel, Turkey, India and Africa. A favourite with British audiences, Margaret has been heard frequently on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, as well as in live broadcasts for American National Public Radio. Her film and television work has included an appearance as Maria Yudina in “Testimony”, Tony Palmer’s film about Shostakovich.
As a soloist Margaret Fingerhut has appeared with many of the UK’s major orchestras, including the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and London Mozart Players, working with many eminent conductors, including Leonard Slatkin, Vernon Handley, Rudolf Barshai, Sir Edward Downes, Bryden Thompson and Sir Charles Groves.
A Chandos artist, Margaret Fingerhut’s many discs have received worldwide critical acclaim. Her extensive recordings include works by Bax, Bloch, Dukas, Falla, Grieg, Howells, Leighton, Novak, Stanford and Suk, and a number of her discs have been selected as Gramophone Magazine’s Critics’ Choice. Margaret’s two recent Bax recordings - the Octet with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble and the Concertante for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra with Vernon Handley and the BBC Philharmonic - were nominated for Gramophone awards. She was also the soloist in the world premiere recording of Elgar’s Piano Concerto slow movement with the Munich Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock.
Margaret Fingerhut gives frequent masterclasses and workshops around the UK, and was a Tutor of piano for several years at the Royal Northern College of Music.
EDGWARE & DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE CHOIR
Director of Music: Alan Kutner Choirmaster: Ann Sadan
The Synagogue Choir was formed in the 1960s, originally 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. Towards the end of the decade, a children’s choir was established under the direction of Linda Addison, who had replaced Mary Bonin on the Soprano line. The Choir was extended to include more adults, Over the years, many of the members of the children’s choir have graduated to the adult choir.
The Choir sings at regularly at Sabbath morning services, as well as for festivals and weddings, and occasionally charity concerts. A childrens’ 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, leading services. Weddings can be accompanied by organ.
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 two years ago, when he retired from this
activity.
ANN SADAN
Choirmaster - Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir
Ann Sadan studied singing with Esther Hulbert at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and then went on to study for a B.Ed. (Hons) at Wall Hall College (now the University of Hertfordshire) where she carried on her vocal studies with Alison Truefit. Ann sang with the Zemel Choir for many years as well as with the Pro Musica Chorus of London. Ann has been a member of Edgware & District Reform Synagogue Choir for many years, serving as conductor for the last 20 years. Ann is also Head of Music at Belmont Middle School, Harrow.
THE ROTH JAM QUARTET
The Roth Jam Quartet comprises Nick (saxophone), Alex (guitar) and Simon (drums) Roth with their mother, Joy Mendelsohn (keyboard). They first performed together as a quartet for Norma and Laurie’s golden wedding in December 2002. Joy studied education and music at University of Manchester, and is currently Head of Music at King’s Langley School, Hertfordshire. Nick is currently studying music in Dublin. Alex has just returned from a gap year trip to South America and will be studying music at Dartington College in the autumn. Simon is currently in the sixth form at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood. Joy , Nick and Simon are all active members in BADJE (Bushey and District Jazz Ensemble), an eighteen piece big band, which Joy founded in 1979.
CHANI HARAN-SMITH
Flute
Chani Smith started to play the flute at the age of 19, while serving as a singer in the Israeli army. After graduating from the Hebrew University (Musicology and Kabbalah), she came to England where she studied flute with William Bennett and composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She was part of the ensemble ‘The Time of Singing’ which performed in such venues as the Wigmore Hall and made a few recordings. She played in the Besht Teller’s production of ‘The Empty Chair’ for which she also wrote the music. Chani works as a flute teacher at Haberdasher’s Aske’s School for Girls.
THOMAS SADAN AND LEE SADAN
Violins
Thomas Sadan started to learn the violin aged 6, using Norma’s old half-sized violin, which she had reconditioned for him. He has now moved on to a three-quarter size instrument, and at age 10 is about to take his Grade 4 exam.
Lee Sadan is 8 years old and has been playing the violin for about two years. She is about to take her Grade 2 exam and is now playing the same half-sized violin of Norma’s that Thomas started on.