From Jewish Life

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Note: This set is a collection of previously released recordings.

It was apparently Rimsky-Korsakov, himself a member of the “Mighty Handful” of Russian nationalist composers, who encouraged his students at the St. Petersburg Conservatory to go out and collect Jewish folk music and music sung in the synagogues, getting thus the ball rolling for a specific Jewish classical music. The movement led in 1908 to the founding of the St. Petersburg Society for Jewish Folk Music and, in 1923, of the Society for Jewish Music in Moscow. The success of the latter and its members was however, short-lived. The antisemitic, anti-cosmopolitan forces that started to brew under the new soviet regime led many potential members of the society to emigrate. The ones that remained were forced to focus on proletarian themes and, even when complying to the requirements, still found themselves often repressed or incarcerated outright.

The last notable concert with the society’s music in the Soviet Union took place in Moscow, in April of 1929. Most of this music had then lain dormant for decades until the pianist Jascha Nemtsov (himself the son of a Gulag survivor) and his musical collaborators unearthed it in the last few years of the 20th century. The present collection contains on five discs the recordings – many of them world premieres – realized between 1999 and 2004.

REVIEWS:

One of the real strengths of this program is the number of pieces that received their world premiere recordings here and it’s probably the case that many of them can still only be heard in these performances. I make it around 42 pieces in total – which includes the individual movements of suites and cycles – made their disc premieres here, a tribute to the industry, application and ardent appreciation shown principally by Nemtsov.

Fortunately, these discs make an appeal on recital-by-recital basis. Yes, there are generic settings and yes, nothing is developed extensively so that the pleasures here are of a localised, focused and specialised nature. Nemtsov may be disheartened by the relative obscurity of much of this music still, feeling it, perhaps, funnelled to the outlying ethnic borderland where folk, cabaret and lighter classical meet and mingle. He, however, in particular, and his disc confreres, have made a real contribution to the vivacious and continuing life of this music on disc and are deserving of high praise.

-- MusicWeb International

This is a fascinating five-disc collection that shines light on a short-lived movement in early 20th-century Russia to bring about a Jewish classical music idiom. Fine performances, too, from the likes of Tabea Zimmermann, Jascha Nemtsov, and Wolfgang Meyer.

-- BBC Music Magazine

SWR’s imaginative five-disc chamber collection From Jewish Life (recorded 1999-2004) should be of interest to listeners whether or not you’re religious or indeed of the Jewish faith. The excellent line-up of performers consists of Jascha Nemtsov (piano), Wolfgang Meyer (clarinet), Tabea Zimmermann (viola), Ingolf Turban (violin), David Geringas (cello) and Helene Schneiderman (mezzo-soprano). The chosen repertoire includes Bloch’s masterly Suite for viola and piano, Joseph Achron’s Stempenyu and other works, music by Julian and Alexander Krein, Alexander Weprik, Joachim Stutschewsky and Solomon Rosowsky and much more. This is, musically speaking, a most nourishing collection, and the digital sound is excellent. 

-- Gramophone



Product Description:

  • Release Date: May 12, 2023


  • Catalog Number: SWR19434CD


  • UPC: 747313943487


  • Label: SWR Classic


  • Number of Discs: 5


  • Period: 20th Century


  • Composer: Grijory Krein, Israel Brandmann, Grzegorz Fitelberg, Jacob Weinberg, Boris Levenson, Julian Krein, Alexander Weprik, Mikhail Favianovich Gnesin, Grigorij Gamburg, Ernest Bloch, Joseph Achron, Joel Engel, Lazare Saminsky, Leo Zeitlin, Joachim Stutschewsky, Sinowi Feldman, Solomon Rosowsky, Pesach Lvov, Moshe Milner, Alexander Krein


  • Performer: Wolfgang Meyer, Jascha Nemtsov, Tabea Zimmermann, Ingolf Turban, David Geringas, Helene Schneidermann



Works:

  1. Four Songs Without Words, Op. 23

    Composer: Grigori Krein

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  2. Variations on a Popular Theme, Op. 12

    Composer: Israel Brandmann

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  3. Four Hebrew Melodies in the Form of a Suite - I. The Wedding

    Composer: Grzegorz Fitelberg

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  4. Four Hebrew Melodies in the Form of a Suite - II. Canzonetta (Grandmother’s Tale)

    Composer: Jakov Weinberg

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  5. Four Hebrew Melodies in the Form of a Suite - III. Hebrew Dance, Op. 68

    Composer: Boris Levenson

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  6. Four Hebrew Melodies in the Form of a Suite - IV. Children’s Round

    Composer: Jakov Weinberg

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  7. Three Hebrew Songs Without Words, Op. 12

    Composer: Julian Krein

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  8. Three Songs Without Words, Op. 38

    Composer: Grigori Krein

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  9. Berceuse funèbre, Op. 8 No. 1

    Composer: Grigori Krein

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  10. Rhapsodie

    Composer: Grigori Krein

    Performer: Wolfgang Meyer (Clarinet), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  11. Rhapsody, Op. 11

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  12. Ornaments, Op. 42

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  13. Minstrel’s Song, Op. 34

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  14. Song of Mariamne, Op. 37 No. 2

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  15. Songs of the Dead, Op. 4

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  16. Two Pieces for Viola and Piano from the “Song of Songs”, Op. 5

    Composer: Grigorij Gamburg

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  17. Chant rigoureux, Op. 9

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  18. Suite for Viola and Piano

    Composer: Ernest Bloch

    Performer: Tabea Zimmermann (Viola), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  19. Hebrew Melody, Op. 33

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  20. Dance Improvisation on a Hebrew Folk Song, Op. 37

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  21. Hebrew Lullaby, Op. 35 No. 2

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  22. Suite, Op. 7

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  23. Freilechs, Op. 20 No. 2

    Composer: Joel Engel

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  24. Hebrew Rhapsody, Op. 3 No. 2

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  25. Aria, Op. 41

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  26. Caprice hébraïque, Op. 24

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  27. Second Aria

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  28. Fairy Tale, Op. 46

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  29. Scher, Op. 42

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  30. Canzonetta, Op. 52 No. 2

    Composer: Joseph Achron


  31. “Stempenyu”. Suite From the Music for Scholom Aleichem’s Play “Stempenyu the Fiddler”

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Ingolf Turban (Violin), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  32. Méditation hébraique

    Composer: Ernest Bloch

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  33. From Jewish Life

    Composer: Ernest Bloch

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  34. Chassidic Suite, Op. 24, No. 1: Chassidic Dance

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  35. Eli Zion

    Composer: Leo Zeitlin

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  36. Frejlachs

    Composer: Joachim Stutschewsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  37. Chassidic Suite, Op. 24, No. 2: Meditation

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  38. Shir Yehudi

    Composer: Joachim Stutschewsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  39. Poème, Op. 11

    Composer: Sinowi Feldman

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  40. Fragment mystique sur un thème hébraïque, Op. 43

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  41. Rhapsodie (Récitatif et danse hassidique)

    Composer: Solomon Rosowsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  42. Israeli Suite

    Composer: Joachim Stutschewsky

    Performer: David Geringas (Cello), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  43. Schir Haschirim (The Song of Songs)

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  44. First Hebrew Song Cycle, Op. 12

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  45. Jewish Dances for Piano, Op. 50

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  46. Ich bin a Bal-agole (A Coachman, I)

    Composer: Solomon Rosowsky

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  47. Wos wet sajn mikojach burikes (Where Shall We Get the Beetroot)

    Composer: Pesach Lvov

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  48. Jeschnah erez (Is There a Land Op. 39 No. 1)

    Composer: Joel Engel

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  49. In Chejder (In School)

    Composer: Mickhail ("Moshe") Milner

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  50. Tanz, tanz, mejdele, tanz (Dance, Dance, Lassy, Dance)

    Composer: Mickhail ("Moshe") Milner

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  51. Das Liedel von dem Mottele (Mottele’s Song, Op. 37 No. 2)

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  52. Das Grabmal Rachels (Rachel’s Grave, Op. 32 No. 2)

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  53. Jad anuga hajta la (Nothing Is so Pure, Op. 37 No. 1)

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  54. Aus dem Hohen Lied (Shir Haschirim) from the “Song of Songs”, Op. 37 No. 3

    Composer: Mikhail Gnessin

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  55. In a kleiner schtibele (In a Little Room)

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  56. Po En-Harod (Here in En-Harod, Op. 69)

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  57. A kapele konzertisten (The Band, Op. 64)

    Composer: Joseph Achron

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  58. Two Jewish Folk Songs, Op. 8

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  59. Two Jewish Folk Songs, Op. 10

    Composer: Alexander Weprik

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  60. Two Jewish Songs, Op. 39

    Composer: Alexander Krein

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)


  61. Second Hebrew Song Cycle, Op. 13

    Composer: Lazare Saminsky

    Performer: Helene Schneidermann (Mezzo-Soprano), Jascha Nemtsov (Piano)