Kol haKavod כל הכבוד Zamir Chorale of Boston! What a delight, pleasure, and privilege it is to watch and listen to your Louis Lewandowski birthday bash production … and a bash it is. What words can I find? To let you know what a beautiful homage you sent out to the world about this Jewish composer Mr. Lewandowski, whom HaShem blessed abundantly with magnificent musical talents. The beautiful exquisite, timbre of your choir, your director and presenter Joshua Jacobson, the sound engineers, the special effects … That was quite a nice surprise to hear Mr. Lewandowski ‘speak to us.’ Please assure everybody–sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, and volunteers–of my sincere appreciation for your extraordinary magnificent music production, your time and efforts. May HaShem bless you all and keep you gesunt and well. I am going to forward it to my network. Thank you! From Holland with love.”
—Sjaan Scheffers, Gouda, Netherlands
I remember so fondly singing with the Pestalozzistrasse Synagogue Choir from the original Lewandowski parts (!) in 1983-86, with Cantor Estrongo Nachama and organist Harry Foss, who played organ in the May 1984 European premiere of my opera, SIMA, at the Juedisches Gemeindehaus in West Berlin. Thank you again, Josh Jacobson, Zamir, and all involved in your wonderful project(s)!”
—Leonard Lehrman, High Holidays Music Director, Metropolitan Synagogue, NY
Founder & Director, Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus, NY
Founder & Laureate Conductor, Juedischer Musiktheaterverein Berlin
What a brilliant mix of music and interviews, touching photos and film clips from Berlin and Lewandowski, in his own words. I know that it must have taken countless hours to create something so fast-paced and succinct. Yasher koach to all, and may the accolades that come to you as more and more people view this film affirm that you lifted up this rare composer’s legacy and gave it life for another generation.”
—Riki Lippitz, Zamir alumna; Cantor, Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange, NJ
I can’t stop smiling. The most touching part to me was the story of how Lewandowski’s music broke through the Iron Curtain and brought Jews and non-Jews together.”
—Dawn Ringel, Zamir alumna, Needham, MA
[My wife] Shuli and I thoroughly enjoyed Zamir’s amazing concert the other night. The music was gorgeous, the performances great, and your powers of communication and contextualization, always formidable, just keep getting better. I can’t even imagine what technical difficulties you had to overcome to get everyone singing together while apart, but beyond that, the virtuosity with which you presented the kaleidoscopic images of the singers and their conductor… Well, it was ganz erstaunlich, nicht wahr?”
—Avi Rockoff, Newton, MA
Congratulations for the terrific Lewandowski program. It was inspiring and wonderfully produced. Thanks for a great experience and all good wishes.”
—Sam Adler, Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, NY, NY
I learned so much and am so appreciative of your work and contribution to authentic and important Jewish music and composition.”
—Larry Brown, Newton, MA
Last night’s program was fabulous!! Very professional, well done and impressive. Wow!!”
—Harriet and George Silverman, Lexington, MA