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Dear Friends,
Summer greetings to you all! Our 54th season has rolled to a close, capped off by our gala June 8 “Viva L’Italia” concert at Temple Emanuel and alumni dinner. In this issue, check out the rest of our spring roundup and a sneak peek at plans for our 55th season, including a performance in Philadelphia in November. And be sure to read Josh Jacobson’s “Musing” on the benefits of moving beyond our musical comfort zone. Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and healthy summer! Stay tuned for all “Z” news that’s fit to print in the fall.
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In each issue of E-Notes, Artistic Director Joshua Jacobson offers his unique insights and experiences as a world-renowned scholar, composer, conductor, and influential teacher of Jewish music.
Nearly 300 years ago, the Earl of Kinnoull attempted to compliment George Frederic Handel, pictured, on his monumental oratorio, Messiah, calling it a “noble entertainment.” The composer responded, “My lord, I should be very sorry if I only entertained them: I wish to make them better.”
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Yes, music is more than mere entertainment and easy listening. All too often we hesitate to venture out of our musical comfort zone. The great Hassidic rabbi known as the Ba’al Shem Tov reportedly said, “Music is what takes you from where you are to where you want to be.” We might add that music can take you from where you are to where you didn’t even know you wanted to go.
| When I create programs for Zamir, I try to mix familiar with exotic. It’s certainly reassuring to hear songs that we recognize and styles that make us comfortable. But there is excitement in discovering something new. Or even something old that we didn’t know existed. Our concerts provide our audiences (and our singers) the opportunity to travel—without a passport—to visit Jewish communities in many eras and many lands. And in juxtaposing musics of different traditions, we become aware of the mutually enriching process of cultural interconnectedness. | |
In 1577, British explorer Sir Francis Drake wrote a poem known as “Disturb Us, Lord.” Here is the first stanza:
Disturb us, Lord, when
we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
because we sailed too close to the shore.
So join us for the Zamir experience. Sail away from the shore. You never know what you’ll discover!
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Sunday, November 12: We are excited to make a special out-of-town trip to join Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Philadelphia, for a performance in their hometown. Led by Prof. Julia Zavadsky, Nashirah were our guests last spring and we are delighted to sing with them again. Check back in the fall for full details. | |
Thursday, December 7, 7:30 pm, Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham: In another ongoing collaboration, Zamir has been invited back to TBS after our successful concert there last fall. Much gratitude to Cantor DJ Fortine, Zamir tenor, and Rabbi Jay Perlman for reaching out.
Thursday, December 21, Temple Emanuel, 7:30 pm, 385 Ward St, Newton: This year’s “Hanukkah Happens” will celebrate the 75th year of Israel’s independence. The program will feature Kabbalat Shabbat, a cantata for chamber orchestra and voices based on the Friday night service, by Israel’s first great composer, Paul Ben-Haim. Also on the program is an Israeli sing-along with Zamir, and much more. Thanks to Cantor Elias Rosemberg and the TE Music Committee for keeping the tradition alive!
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Chamber Choir at the Church on the Hill
On June 11, Assistant Conductor Andrew Mattfeld hosted a chamber choir of 20 Zamirniks in a wide-ranging concert at Boston’s Church on the Hill, where he serves as music director. Selections included works by Italian composers Rossi, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Di Segni, and Vita Clava; liturgical settings by Lewandowski and Avni; Thompson’s popular a cappella “Alleluia”; and other selections by Osborne, Klepper, Mozart, and Cohen. Accompanist Ed Swanborn’s talents were displayed on the grand piano, the great organ, and the Baroque positive organ.
| Viva l’Italia at Temple Emanuel | |
On June 8, at Temple Emanuel in Newton, Zamir performed a lively “live and livestreamed” concert of Italian Jewish music to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of Salamone Rossi’s “Ha-shirim Asher Lishlomo.” Managing Director Barbara Gaffin kicked off the night by introducing special guest Ivana Marroncelli, Educational Officer and Acting Deputy at the Consulate General of Italy in Boston, pictured, who offered welcoming remarks. Zamir soprano Sharon Shore ably provided some of the narration, which included translations as well as Josh’s fascinating background notes about the repertoire.
| The program began with an array of Rossi’s lush synagogue motets and secular madrigals and continued with Italian Jewish music from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Thanks to Maestro Jacobson’s research, several pieces were heard for the first time in this country, including works by 17th-century Rabbi Leon Modena and 19th-century composer Amadio Di Segni. Featured soloists and small ensembles from the choir contributed their considerable talents. A group of top-notch area musicians, some on early instruments, accompanied the group: Olav Chris Henriksen, chitarrone; Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Taki Masuko, percussion; Emily O'Brien, recorder; Lois Shapiro, keyboard; and Zamir’s own Ed Swanborn, organ. | |
Zamir singers came out into the sanctuary’s aisles for the encore, a rousing rendition of the anthem “Va pensiero,” Verdi’s tribute to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, from the opera Nabucco. For more, local musician and essayist Susan Miron wrote about the concert in the Boston Musical Intelligencer, here. | |
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“Z’Alum Z’Mangia” Italian Dinner
Neither chilly weather nor smoky air from the Canadian wildfires kept 30 alumni from attending an outdoor-turned-indoor event at Temple Emanuel on June 8 just before the concert. Z’alums from the early years mingled with newer alums for a delicious catered meal. Committee member Cantor Riki Lippitz traveled the farthest (Chicago!); almost everyone else was local. Other committee organizers included Alan “Tep” Teperow, Joni Schockett, and Susan Rubin. (Pictured: Riki, Tep, Joni)
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According to Tep, “The Italian wine and food was plentiful, as was the camaraderie always in full display at Z’alum events.” Sheri and Eli Gurock recited the Motzi, then invited the group to sing Shehechiyanu and blessings (in multi-part harmony, of course). Josh stopped in to say hello before the concert. Plans for future Z’alum events include a Boston-area sing-and-schmooze-along in October, with Zoom access for out-of-towners. Zam’ru, achim, zam’ru! (Pictured: Ronda Jacobson, Jeff Klepper, Ilene Beckman, Joni Schockett, Alan Nelson)
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Vilna Shul Voices of Humanity Concert
On May 7, Zamir’s chamber choir participated in the annual “Voices of Humanity” concert at Boston’s historic Vilna Shul. The concert also featured Voices 21C, directed by Andre deQuadros; and Brother Dennis Slaughter’s Boston Community Gospel Choir. Zamir’s set included different settings with the “Hallelujah” theme, including works by Avni, Osborne, Rossi, Cohen, and Shukiar. For the grand finale, the three choirs together sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Better.”
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At a meeting on June 4, Rachel Miller, pictured, was reelected for another term as Zamir’s president. Peter Bronk was elected to serve as the new vice president, replacing Deborah Wollner, who stepped down. Among our singers, Nicole Callum will replace Anne Levy as soprano section leader and Sally Weiner will replace Deborah Melkin as alto section leader. Thanks, Deborah, Anne, and Deborah, for your longtime leadership and contributions to the Zamir community!
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Zamir will hold auditions for all voice parts in September (date to be confirmed) at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., Auburndale (Newton). Auditions are by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance by emailing manager@zamir.org. Please provide your voice part and the best phone number to reach you.
Candidates should have excellent vocal quality, the ability to sightread music, and previous choral experience. In addition to the audition, candidates are required to attend open rehearsals from 7:15 to 9:45 pm on Tuesday, September 12 and 19, at Temple Reyim. Rehearsals throughout the year are generally held on Tuesday evenings at Temple Reyim, from September through early June.
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Keep in Touch
As always, let us know what you’re up to--we love hearing from our friends near and far. Be safe, be well, and see you in September!
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Barbara Gaffin
Managing Director
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