Welcome from violinist Miriam Kramer
|
|
|
Dear friends,
The word violin has been positioned next to my name on concert programmes since I was seven years old and my eldest sister used to joke with me that violin was part of my name. Well, it certainly forms the essence of my being and I feel truly blessed to be fulfilling my lifelong dream of being a concert violinist, performing (thus sharing) some of the most beautiful music known to man.
I grew up in a traditional and observant Jewish home. My grandfather, David Glinkovsky, was a Chazan in many orthodox shuls across the USA and he sadly passed away before I was born. My parents had many of his recordings, which I would listen to again and again, inspiring me to want to evoke the same lyricism and spirituality I was hearing when I would pick up my violin to play. My parents also had in their possession all the recordings of the long line of Jewish violinists - Elman, Kreisler, Menuhin, Szeryng, Heifetz, Kogan, Milstein, Oistrakh, Stern to name just a few - and these players all produced gorgeous tones imbued with Jewish soulfulness (not as commonly heard today) and I would listen to these recordings day and night... I’m certain our neighbours got to know them equally as well! My mother and father also taught me all the traditional melodies to all the well known prayers and my three sisters and I would spend hours with my parents, sitting round the Shabbat table or on Jewish festivals, singing and dancing... these occasions were like simcha and ruach infusions!
I first became acquainted with Bloch’s music at the age of ten, when I was asked to perform Baal Shem at a concert in Woodbridge, Connecticut. I hadn’t yet heard of Bloch nor had I heard any of his music, so I got straight to work, learning what was on the page and immersing myself in the exotic harmonies, the drama, the whispers and the exultation. The music really spoke to me and I felt I could really play from my heart. From that moment on, I have programmed Bloch’s music on stages in many different countries around the world and it is his music that seems to bring a special hush to the audience - almost a reverence, a touch of holiness.
I am passionate about keeping Bloch’s music alive and absolutely delighted to be involved in the forthcoming Bloch Day with the Jewish Music Institute, together with the International Ernest Bloch Society.
Miriam Kramer -Violin
|
|
|
THE WORLD OF ERNEST BLOCH
|
|
THE WORLD OF ERNEST BLOCH
Masterclasses, Discussion, Gala Concert
Sunday 19 April 2020 10.30am – 9.30pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
SOAS University of London
A day exploring and celebrating the diversity of his music with Bloch specialist Dr Alexander Knapp; a former BBC Producer Rob Cowan; and three internationally acclaimed musicians.
Morning 11.00am- 1.00pm Masterclasses for students
Early afternoon 2.00pm – 2.45pm Talk on Bloch by Dr Alexander Knapp
2.45pm – 4.45pm Masterclasses for young professional musicians
Late afternoon 4.45pm – 5.45pm Interviews with the three artists on their connection to the music of Ernest Bloch
Evening 7.00pm – 9.20pm Gala Concert (Included in all day ticket or see below)
For Masterclass participation, apply at: www.ernestblochsociety.org (free)
Audience Bookings www.jmi.org.uk
All-day (including gala concert) £25, Students £15
Concert only £20, Students £10
|
|
Bloch Gala Concert:
WALLFISCH - GOLANI - KRAMER
|
|
Bloch Gala Concert
Sunday 19 April 2020
7pm – 9.30pm
SOAS University of London
This concert brings together three of the world’s greatest musicians to play works by celebrated composer Ernest Bloch.
To celebrate the 140th anniversary of his birth, three internationally acclaimed musicians, violinist Miriam Kramer, violist Rivka Golani and cellist Raphael Wallfisch, all recognised as supreme exponents of his works, will each perform one of his major works in the evening Gala Concert which will be introduced by Bloch specialist Dr Alexander Knapp.
Miriam Kramer will perform Violin Sonata no 2, Poème Mystique, 1924, with pianist Nicholas Durcan
Rivka Golani will perform the Viola Suite of 1919 with pianist Michael Hampton
Raphael Wallfisch will perform Cello Symphony, 1954, with pianist Craig White
Other works will be performed by some of the outstanding masterclass participants from The World of Ernest Bloch Masterclasses held earlier on in the day.
|
|
MUSICAL MEMORIES
Wednesday 13th May 2020
Central London.
Michael Grade Joint President of the Jewish Music Institute is delighted to invite you share musical memories with his esteemed guests in support of the work of JMI.
This year Michael's guests will be Rosa Lipworth, Daniel Finkelstein and Raphael Wallfisch.
Reception: 6.30pm
Dinner: 7.30pm
Carriages: 10.45pm
Donations raised at this event are essential to help to support and expand JMI’s musical education programmes and to assist students of all ages to study Jewish music and culture. We very much look forward to hearing from you and do hope that you can join us.
For more information and an application pack, please email Jo Mark here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
