Karl Middleman presents The Mendelssohns: Grace, Passion and Privilege at Congregation Beth Am Israel

Karl Middleman presents The Mendelssohns: Grace, Passion and Privilege at Congregation Beth Am Israel this March.

Congregation Beth Am Israel hosts Karl Middleman and his two part presentation of The Mendelssohns: Grace, Passion and Privilege on consecutive Sundays, March 4 and 11 from 10:15 a.m. to noon.

Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn were true Renaissance people. Born to a wealthy family in early 19th-Century Berlin, they were talented visual artists, accomplished letterwriters, extraordinary composers, pianists, and society movers. Yet most of us are only familiar with Felix Mendelssohn’s accomplishments in a few beloved works such as the Violin Concerto and Italian Symphony.

Fanny Mendelssohn’s career was sharply curbed by family conventions and societal expectations for women. Karl Middleman’s presentation focuses attention on Fanny
Mendelssohn and portrays her life and accomplishments amidst the artistic ethos of the times. Special focus is given to Fanny Mendelssohn’s Biblical Cantata, and to live
presentations of her songs and piano music, as well as the music of other early German women composers.

Known as an extremely versatile musician, Karl Middleman is familiar to classical music audiences as a composer, lecturer, and conductor of many orchestras and choirs. Karl Middleman regales audiences and student groups with musical tales and live piano demonstrations on such topics as Humor in Music, Beethoven the Creator, and Mad for
Italian Opera. Peppered with possibilities for audience participation, Karl Middleman’s presentations demonstrate that teaching classical music need not be rarified and
exclusionary, but fun and fulfilling.

Congregation Beth Am Israel is a sacred egalitarian community that welcomes individuals engaged in spiritual growth and reflection. Our religious life seeks to balance
a spirit of struggle and adventure with a firm grounding in Torah and tradition. Please visit us at 1301 Hagys Ford Road, Penn Valley, PA or at www.BethAmisraelorg.