Participating choirs include Lewandowski Chorale, Synagogal Ensemble Berlin, Imilonji KaNtu and the Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir.
The concert series is hosted by South Africa’s Lewandowski Chorale and is directed by Adam Golding, who has invited the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin, under the direction of Regina Yantian, for its first appearance in South Africa.
The Johannesburg Jewish Male Choir will be under the direction of Evelyn Green, and the Soweto-based Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society will be under the direction of George Mxadana.
Each choir will perform works of Lewandowski and his contemporaries and the Synagogal Ensemble Berlin, Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society and the Lewandowski Chorale will also perform a number of massed items.
While each choir is different, they are united by the inspiration they draw from the works of Lewandowski and their links to the prestigious annual Louis Lewandowski Festival, which is hosted every December in the city of Berlin.
Although they have performed in various combinations, this is the first time all four choirs will perform on the same stage, promising a rare treat for audiences. The bulk of the programme will include the music of Louis Lewandowski and his contemporaries. The programme will also include African Liturgical music, Jewish Baroque music and a variety of other genres.
According Golding, most South African lovers of serious music would not be familiar with Lewandowski, or, at best, would have heard of him peripherally.
“He was an absolute master of melody who combined traditional Jewish music from eastern Europe with the popular romantic style of classical music,” explained Golding.
“Lewandowski understood the human voice and the blending of the voice. The result is a staggering use of harmony.”
Details: ashleysweke@icon.co.za or 082 774 2071
