To mark Yom Yerushalayim an event was held at Kenton Synagogue on Sunday evening May 17th, which featured Moon Brass together with four members of the Community Carmel Stockman, Ruth Topper, Priscilla Dale and myself doing readings.
It was special because this was the first time that a Brass Quintet had performed at the Synagogue but also that two of its members come from Jerusalem. This encouraged a very large attendance. Moon Brass is comprised of first and second year undergraduates of the Royal College of Music. Nadav Klahr, Trombone studied at the Hassdanah Conservatory in Jerusalem and has played in the Israel National Youth Orchestra.
Yuval Avni, Tuba, also studied at the same Conservatory and played in the IDF Orchestra. The five musicians were brought together by a love of chamber music. Moon Brass enjoys exploring a wide ranging repertoire from classical favourites to contemporary works.
Music selected for the occasion included Music from the Peer Gynt Suite by Edward Grieg, Three Jewish Dances by Les Deutsch, Selections from Fiddle on the Roof, West Side Story with some Jewish songs including Naomi Shemer’s Jerusalem the Gold which had been arranged by Daniel Solomons, a third year Israeli Composition student also at the Royal College. Carmel Stockman read the words of Jerusalem the Gold, Ruth Topper read three Tehillim, Priscilla Dale chose an extract from Simon Schama’s book on Jerusalem and I selected a Kinnot for Tisha B’Av.
To conclude the evening there was a rousing playing and singing of Hatikvah and the National Anthem. The audience was treated to a delicious array of cakes and biscuits together with tea and coffee and the opportunity to socialise with each other and have a chat with the students.
It is very much hoped that as the students continue their studies at the Royal College that the Synagogue will invite them to perform in the future.
