Tickets on Sale Now for The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony Concert on April 12th

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS) kicks off its 2015 season on Sunday, April 12th with “Jewish Music Encounters.” Maestra Noreen Green, of Encino, and the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony String Ensemble will perform with special guest artists to share an extraordinary night of music inspired by significant writings and events in collaboration with the Whizin Center for Continuing Education of the American Jewish University.

The LAJS String Ensemble will perform Only a Book by Sharon Farber, based on the poem of the same title. The poem portrays the powerful tie between the Jewish people and the Book of Faith. The piece consists of six variations dealing with different time periods in the history of the Jewish people. It opens with the Eternal Theme; the theme that would follow the people of the Book wherever they go – it is always present, like the Book the Jewish People have been carrying with them throughout history.

The program will also include the premiere of Canopy of Peace by Russell Steinberg, also of Encino, dedicated to the late Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, scored for violin solo, harp, strings, and mezzo-soprano. This performance will feature LAJS Concert Master Mark Kashper and mezzo soprano Diana Tash. Based on excerpts of Steinberg’s award-winning composition Sacred Transitions in collaboration with Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Steinberg composed the Canopy of Peace suite. Steinberg states, “the testimony continually poured out with great emotion in December 2014 during memorial services at Valley Beth Shalom for Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis—an undeniable compassion for people to look beyond their differences and come together in community, the courage to stand up against social injustice, and a strength of character that insisted on dignity for all people, whether it be between divisions of Jewish sects, for equal rights, or speaking out against atrocities like genocide. His impeccability rang in sharp contrast to our current world of clay-footed leaders. We are personally responsible to create this ‘canopy of peace.’”

Maestra Noreen Green shares, “Rabbi Schulweis was a tremendous influence on my life. For twenty years I absorbed his teachings while working beside him at Valley Beth Shalom as his music director. He was awe-inspiring. I feel a huge void in my heart, since his passing. Presenting his words through music just a few days shy of what would have been his 90th birthday will be an honor befitting his memory.”

Lastly, Israeli flutist and American-Israeli Cultural Foundation scholarship winner, Itay Lantner, will join LAJS in a rare performance of Halil by Leonard Bernstein.

“Jewish Music Encounters” is part of the Whizin Center for Continuing Education programming at the American Jewish University. Reserved seating for the concert is $36 (concert only) and $72 (preferred seating and post-concert reception). Discounts are available for groups of eight or more. Tickets are available online here: http://tinyurl.com/lajs-springconcert2015 or by calling (818) 646-2844. For more information, call or email jeremy@lajewishsymphony.org.

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