News from JMI

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE

DECEMBER 2013

Welcome to the December Newsletter from JMI

With 2013 coming to a close there is a lot for us to reflect on and even more to look forward to in 2014. We started the year with the Music and Words of Leonard Cohen at Jewish Book Week and February 2014 will see the launch of JMI's most exciting commission to date 'Drawing Life' composed by Jocelyn Pook, again in partnership with JBW. Klezmer in the Park 2013 proved even better than in previous years and our host for the day BBC Radio 3's Max Reinhardt has involved JMI in Suitcase 1938, the poignant Kindertransport memorial performance at Liverpool Street station on Dec 1st. If it's Chanukah celebrations you're after, there is a great concert coming up at JW3 with Los Desterrados. For a second successful year we worked with the UK Jewish Film Festival and this month their managing director Michael Etherton leads the Alyth Choral Society in a world premiere of composer Julian Dawes' 'Shirat Hayam' in celebration of their 30th year. Next year is also our 30th anniversary year and we have many exciting new projects and events to bring to you as part of the celebrations. Until then, we wish you happy holidays and look forward to seeing you at some of the events that are happening this month.

All best wishes

Sophie

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With Gratitude
Jennifer Jankel, on behalf of the Trustees, the joint-Presidents, Vice-Presidents and everyone involved with JMI, would like to pay tribute to Reverend Malcolm Wiseman OBE for his 50 years of service as Minister to small Jewish communities. In that time he has also served as Chaplain to Jewish members of the armed forces, to the universities, to NATO and has had a particularly strong link with the thriving Oxford Jewish Community. We would also like to express our gratitude to Malcolm for being instrumental in the creation of the Service of Solemn Remembrance and Hope on the 75th Anniversary of Kristallnacht which was held at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 10th November 2013. As a valued member of the Trustees of JMI, we wish Malcolm good health and strength to continue his valuable work for many years to come. Jennifer speaks on behalf of our organisation in extending our best wishes to you all for a very happy Chanukah.

Suitcase 1938: London
Seventy-five years on from the first arrival of the Kindertransport in Britain, the concourses and platforms of stations across the country will burst into life with Suitcase, an original mix of site-specific promenade theatre and music which marks those arrivals. Suitcase reflects the stories of those who were there. Last month, we were joined by Executive Producer Jane Merkin to hear about the projects origins and its resonance today. This month Suitcase's Musical Director and Klezmer in the Park Host, BBC's Radio 3 Max Reinhardt, joins us in conversation to tell us more about the music within the performances. Max specifically highlights JMI's involvement of the additional trio of musicians, Sophie Solomon (Violin), Francesca Ter-Berg (Cello) and Sam Lee (Vocals). You can listen to Max in conversation here.		Suitcase 1938 Date: Dec 1&2 Venue: London Liverpool St

THE FOURTH NIGHT: LOS DESTERRADOS
Come and join hundreds of artists and revellers for a Chanukah Party with a difference. Mixing up Chanukah traditions from across the Jewish partying world, The Fourth Night Chanukah Party will be an evening of global stories, live music, food and drink. Listen to stories in the dark with the Listening Party curated by Sounds Jewish. Light the candles with Half-Told Tales from Malika Booker, Chris Meade and Rachel Rose Reid, sip seasonal drinks and get down to the Sephardi beats fused with Spanish Flamenco and fiery Gypsy melodies of Los Desterrados.		Event info Date: Sat 30 Time: 8pm Venue: JW3 Price: £15/7.50

DER NAYER KLANG
Our vocal workshop ‘Der Nayer Klang‘ focuses on the two major strands of the Jewish Eastern European vocal tradition. The first workshop of each month will explore lesser known songs from the Yiddish folk, contemporary and art song traditions. The second workshop of each month will focus on the voice as a tool for inner reflection via the medium of Chassidic Niggunim (wordless melodies). Come and discover the captivating charm of the Yiddish song through exploring cultural, linguistic and musical narratives of Jewish Eastern Europe. Der Nayer Klang will be led by Rachel Weston, one of the UK’s leading Yiddish song experts.		Course Info Date: Dec 4 Time: 7-9pm Venue: Room VG01 SOAS, Vernon Square Price: £8/£6 conc.

SHIRAT HAYAM
In celebration of Alyth Choral Society's 30th Anniversary, Composer in residence Julian Dawes has written a new piece for the occasion. This will be a world premiere of a new work, 'Shirat Hayam' (Song of the Sea), which is taken from verses from the Book of Exodus. The poem was sung by the Israelites after they safely crossed the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) and concentrates on their intense feelings following their deliverance. The second part of the concert features the Six Moravian Songs by Dvorák - an arrangement by Leoš Janácek of little "nursery-rhyme" style ditties being performed in the original Czech. The performance will be led by Michael Etherton (Conductor), Sophie Lockett (leader of chamber ensemble) and soloist Gemma Rosefield (cello). We interviewed composer Julian Dawes and Conductor Michael Etherton and you can hear these interviews here.		Event info Date: Dec 8 Time: 730pm Venue: North Western Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, NW11 7EN Price: £15

ZINGT! The People's Yiddish Chorus
JMI has partnered with JW3 to bring you our all new Yiddish choir, exploring traditional songs in this thousand year old language. Embark on an inspiring journey, learning to sing in Yiddish and breathing life back into a fascinating language and a rich musical genre. You will learn a wide variety of traditional songs from lullabies and folk ballads to protest songs and Shabbat prayers, as well as wordless nigunim. Led by Polina Skovoroda-Shepherd, renowned Yiddish singer, performer and choirmaster, this group is open to all. 2013 December 10th 2014 February 18th March 4th / 18th April 8th More details can be found here		Zingt! Date: Dec 10 - Apr 8 Venue: JW3 Price: £8.50/£12

TAPISERIE NIGHTS
Klezmer Clarinettist Merlin Shepherd will be weaving together a tapestry of musical colours each Wednesday at Jamboree with Tapiserie Nights; made up of traditional music of the Romani people, Eastern Europe, Klezmer music, as-well as music of the Mediterranean. Wed 27 Nov Don KIpper Wed 4 Dec Opaz Ensemble Wed 11 Dec Minimal Klezmer Wed 18 Dec Don Kipper		Jamboree Date: Every Wed Time: 730pm Venue: Cable Street Studios Courtyard, 566 Cable Street, E1W 3HB Price: £4

RITA
One of Israel's best-known singers, Rita Jahanforuz, known simply as Rita, started her professional career over 25 years ago and has released numerous albums, some of which sold triple Platinum. She represented Israel in the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest and has performed with groups, ensembles and orchestras the world over. Although a huge star in Israel she is also a very popular singer in Iran, despite ownership of her records being strictly forbidden. She recently sang at a UN General Assembly Event and both that and this event are titled "Tunes for Peace". This exclusive UK concert will see her perform songs in Farsi, Hebrew and English. For tickets please call Tali Tzemach on 0208 201 7441/2 or email tali@tzemach.com		Concert Date: Dec 12 Time: 730pm Venue: Hilton London Metropole Price: Various

JMI'S TOP PICKS
Klezmer Jam at The Harrison London Klezmer Quartet anchors this monthly slot. Bring an instrument and a tune to share, or just come along to listen. Sunday 1 Dec The Harrison 28 Harrison Street London WC1H 8JF More info Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar + The Actionettes 60s dance troupe + DJs Sacha Dieu (Stranger Than Paradise) & Russ Jones (The Hackney Globe Trotter) Thursday 12 December 7 - 11pm Electric Brixton Town Hall Parade London SW2 1RJ 0871 220 0260 Tickets She'Koyokh The band return to North London for a free concert as part of the Sunday Buzz series. Sunday 15th December 1pm - 2.45pm Arts Depot 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA Arts Depot Website Coolooloosh Celebrated Israeli hip hop funk band with Klezmer and Balkan influences Thursday 19th December 7 - 11pm JW3 341-351 Finchley Road London NW3 6ET JW3

JMI Radio
Our monthly radio show continues with our events manager Gil Karpas who plays music and interviews from the world of Jewish music. December's show has a focus on Shirat Hayam with interviews from both Composer Julian Dawes and Conductor Michael Etherton. Max Reinhardt also joins the show to bring the story behind the music of Suitcase 1938. The whole show and its component podcasts can be heard here.