http://www.spiroark.org Latest Spiro Ark news en-gb 720 2012-02-03 12:36:01 Blog Entry - Friday 3rd February 2012

A testimonial by an artist - Ruth Taylor Jacobson
Please see an image ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/804/how-much-poorer-my-life-would-be-without-the-spiro-programmes http://www.spiroark.org/blog/804/how-much-poorer-my-life-would-be-without-the-spiro-programmes 2012-02-01 12:43:13 Event - Tuesday 20th March 2012

An event with Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi
In collaboration with Harif ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/803/what-impact-is-the-arab-spring-having-on-the-region-s-minorities http://www.spiroark.org/events/803/what-impact-is-the-arab-spring-having-on-the-region-s-minorities 2012-01-27 11:53:24 Blog Entry - Friday 27th January 2012

The Angel in the Forest
A dramatic song cycle for tenor solo, vocal ensemble and cello sextet

Music by Julian Marshall with text by Gertrud Kolmar
Additional text taken from the Old Testament


James Gilchrist tenor solo
Sophie Harris cello
Christopher Wray choirmaster
The Welten players and singers
Conducted by the Brodsky Quartet's Ian Belton

Dame Janet Suzman special guest reader

The concert will be introduced by Iain McGilchrist, author of 'The Master and his Emissary'

The Angel in the Forest is the second piece written by Julian Marshall that features the work of the Jewish writer and poet Gertrud Kolmar (both texts are taken from her Welten cycle of poems - the last she is known to have written).

The first piece, Out of the Darkness, was premiered at Winchester Cathedral in March 2009 and has, subsequently, been broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

The Angel in the Forest is, perhaps, Julian Marshall's most powerful - and most filmic - work to date. Kolmar's poem offers remarkable opportunities for a musical encounter with a stunning literary work - an encounter that ultimately enforces the idea that hope and possibility may well be only truly glimpsed after having first passed through the doorway of hopelessness. Drawing influence from a variety of musical styles, Marshall weaves Kolmar's words into a magical journey that will leave audiences deeply moved and inspired.

Kolmar's work, the most important of which was mostly written during the 1930s (she perished in Auschwitz in 1943) evokes powerful images in a constant morphing from 'fantasy to reality' - simultaneously serving as an eerie foretelling of the imminent tidal wave of horror about to hit the world and a most vivid account of life experienced in full colour. It exquisitely demonstrates a remarkable body of work springing from a life of impossible circumstance.

The Angel in the Forest receives its full London premiere on January 21st 2012 with all profits going to the Barenboim-Said Foundation - a remarkable organisation that creates high level opportunities for young musicians from across the Middle East, most notably in the form of the West-East Divan Orchestra.
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/802/a-drawing-of-our-friend-artist-ronald-stein-during-a-concert-of-angel-in-the-forest http://www.spiroark.org/blog/802/a-drawing-of-our-friend-artist-ronald-stein-during-a-concert-of-angel-in-the-forest 2012-01-27 14:42:14 Event - Wednesday 15th February 2012

A lecture by Prof. Gabriel Barkay ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/801/new-light-on-the-temple-mount-jerusalem http://www.spiroark.org/events/801/new-light-on-the-temple-mount-jerusalem 2012-01-20 16:30:01 Event - Wednesday 21st March 2012

Lecture by Professor Geza Vermes chaired by Graham Morris
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/800/the-true-image-of-herod-the-great http://www.spiroark.org/events/800/the-true-image-of-herod-the-great 2012-01-13 14:57:13 Event - Tuesday 6th March 2012

A lecture by Mátyás Sárközi chaired by Prof George Gomori ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/799/arthur-koestler-and-the-thirteenth-tribe http://www.spiroark.org/events/799/arthur-koestler-and-the-thirteenth-tribe 2012-01-04 16:17:02 Event - Wednesday 22nd February 2012

THE WORD IS THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT
THE WORD IS THE TONGUE OF THE SPIRIT
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/798/the-word-is-the-light-of-the-spirit http://www.spiroark.org/events/798/the-word-is-the-light-of-the-spirit 2012-01-04 16:31:14 Blog Entry - Wednesday 4th January 2012

Czwartek, 22 grudnia 2011
9 kultura
Ronald Stein i jego praca z autografami muzyków i osobistą dedykacją od Alfreda Schreyera
Rysunek Ronalda Steina, copyrights Ronald Stein
Na końcu chyba zagrali „Tylko we Lwowie". Musiało tak być, bo ostatni, którzy wychodzili z koncertu jeszcze nucili sobie pod nosem słowa tej najsłynniejszej bodaj z przedwojennych piosenek.
- Muszę was wszystkich ostrzec - powiedział do zebranych w New London Synagogue Alfred Schreyer - że ten koncert będzie retro, bo ja sam jestem retro - uśmiechnął się. A z nim wszyscy obecni. Mówił tą przepiękną polszczyzną, którą spotyka się chyba już tylko poza Polską, a która przypomina Lwów właśnie. Ale Alfred Schreyer nie przyjechał na swój recital z Lwowa, a z Drohobycza. Z miasta Brunona Schulza, na którego zajęcia z prac ręcznych uczęszczał przez cztery lata tuż przed wybuchem wojny.
Historię Alfreda Schreyera z Drohobycza, ucznia Brunona Schulza w dokumencie filmowym uwieczniła, we współpracy z Marcinem Giżyckim, Małgorzata Sady. Film, wyprodukowany w tym roku przez Kronikę Film Studio został wyświetlony przed koncertem Alfred Schreyer Trio w New London Synagogue w ubiegłym tygodniu. Później i koncert, i projekcje filmu powtórzono raz jeszcze w polskiej ambasadzie.
Jak zaznaczyła obecna tego wieczora Małgorzata Sady film powstał niejako z przypadku. Reżyserka, wraz ze słynnymi brytyjskimi twórcami filmowymi, braćmi Quay (obecnymi na koncercie Alfreda w synagodze), odwiedziła Drohobycz, żeby dowiedzieć się czegoś więcej o Brunonie Schulzu, odwiedzić jego miasto. Tam spotkała Alfreda Schreyera, którego losy i charyzmatyczna postać wydały się jej tak interesujące, że po-stanowiła nakręcić o nim film. Jeszcze podczas tych pierwszych odwiedzin w Drohobyczu powstał krótki dokument, na podstawie którego powstał film „Alfred Schreyer z Drohobycza". Dokument filmowy Małgorzaty Sady, oprócz przepięknych zdjęć, zawiera ścieżkę dźwiękową złożoną z utworów wykonywanych przez Schreyera i jego zespół. Bohater filmu opowiada o Drohobyczu, Schulzu, wojnie i rodzinie, którą podczas tej wojny stracił. Historie czasami bolesne, ale i też takie wywołujące uśmiech, choćby przez łzy. Film zawiera sporo materiałów archiwalnych, fotografii i niewyreżyserowanych dialogów - swoistych perełek, które stanowią o wartości tego dokumentu. Alfred Schreyer, opowiadając swoją historię, nie żali się - przedstawia fakty, czasem nawet ze swadą je komentuje. „Tyle lat na scenie - mówi - a głos wciąż ten sam. Co ja na to poradzę, że wciąż się mnie trzyma?"
„Gdy Dorota gra fokstrota"
Wieczór, organizowany przez Spiro Ark i Instytut Kultury Polskiej w Londynie prowadziła Nitza Spiro która - już po koncercie - mówiła, że gdy po raz pierwszy zobaczyła Alfreda nie była pewna, czy leciwy śpiewak podoła trudom występu. Schreyer urodził się w 1922 roku, więc jej obawy nie były bezpodstawne, szczególnie po męczącej podróży śpiewaka z Drohobycza do Londynu. Jednak ku jej zasko¬czeniu, a może i kilku innych osób przybyłych na ten koncert, stwierdzenie Schreyera nie jest jedynie czczą przechwałką - głos naprawdę się go trzyma! I ta charyzma. Nią mógłby obdzielić kilku współczesnych piosenkarzy. „Muzyka i koncerty dodają mu sił" - stwierdziła po recitalu Małgorzata Sady. I nie da się ukryć, że Alfred Schreyer to człowiek Sceny, przez duże „S".
Występ Alfred Schreyer Trio zrobił prawdziwą furorę. Zrobiono mnóstwo zdjęć. Byli i tacy, którzy koncert nagrywali na telefony i kamery. W jednym z pierwszych rzędów siedział pan Ronald Stein, który w trakcie recitalu szkicował muzyków. Powstało kilka rysunków, na których Trio zgodnie złożyło swoje autografy. Można było odczuć, że wieczór był jednym z tych wyjątko¬wych.
Alfred Schreyer Trio w składzie: Lowa Łobanow (klawisze) i Tadeusz Serwatka (akordeon) i Alfred Schreyer (wokal i skrzypce), wykonało polskie przedwojenne szlagiery, popularne melodie żydowskie, piosenki w jidysz, po rosyjsku i po ukraińsku. Jak pięknie za¬znaczyła przed koncertem prowadząca wieczór Nitza Spiro, muzyka łączy różne kultury. I można powiedzieć, że Alfred Schreyer jest tego najlepszym przykładem.
Choć to Alfred jest niezprzeczalnym liderem grupy, to widać, że drohobyccy artyści są ze sobą bardzo zgrani i wspólne muzykowanie daje im dużo satysfakcji. Co doskonale wyczuli zgromadzeni słuchacze. Trio, ze szczególnym wkładem Alfreda, stworzyło tego wieczora niezapomnianą atmosferę. Dłonie same składały się do klaskania przy „Szalom Alejchem", a nogi skakały przy „Gdy Dorota gra fokstrota". Atmosfera z sekundy na sekundę zmieniała się przy kolejnych pieśniach, z beztroskiej, na smutną, z smutnej na liryczną, jak np. przy „Miasteczku Bełz". Słuchacze byli bezsilni - Schreyer dyrygował ich nastrojem. A kiedy wychodzili, każdy pod nosem nucił coś innego...
„Wspaniały koncert", „gratulacje" dało się słyszeć. Obecny na recitalu Jerzy Jarosz był pod tak wielkim wrażeniem, że zastanawiał się jakby tu drohobyckich muzyków sprowadzić na kolejne koncerty w nowym roku. Jeszcze zanim, z trudem uzyskane wizy, stracą ważność. Oby się udało, takiego koncertu warto posłuchać nie raz, ale i kilka razy.
Tekst i fot.:
Justyna Daniluk
Cóż ja zrobię, że głos
się mnie trzyma?
Alfred Schreyer, Małgorzata Sady, Tadeusz Serwatko i Nitza Spiro podczas koncertu Alfred Schreyer Trio w New London Synagogue

TRANSLATION

TITLE: Well what can I do, that the voice is still with me?

At the end they probably played "Only in Lvov." It had to be so, because the last who left the concert even sang quietly the words of this most famous perhaps of pre-war songs.
- I have to warn you all - he said to those gathered in New London Synagogue, Alfred Schreyer - that this concert will be retro, because I myself am a retro - he smiled. And with him all those present. He spoke using this especially beautiful Polish language that you can now usually hear abroad and that resembles Lvov. But Alfred Schreyer did not come to his recital of Lvov, and Drohobych. From the town of Bruno Schulz, whose technical workshops he attended for four years just before the outbreak of war.
The history of Alfred Schreyer from Drohobych, a pupil of Bruno Schulz was immortalized in the film document, in collaboration with Martin Gizycki by Malgorzata Sady. The film, produced this year by the Chronicle Film Studio was displayed before the concert of Alfred Schreyer Trio in New London Synagogue last week. Afterwards both the concert and the film screening were repeated once again at the Polish Embassy.
Malgorzata Sady who was present that evening movie was kind of case. The director, together with the famous British filmmakers, brothers Quay (Alfred present at the concert in the synagogue), visited Drohobych to learn more about Bruno Schulz, visit his city. There he met Alfred Schreyer, whose fate and charismatic figure seemed to her so interesting that it has decided to make a movie about him. Even during those first visits in Drohobych was a short document on which the film "Alfred Schreyer from Drohobycz". Document film Margaret's Orchards, in addition to beautiful photographs, includes a soundtrack consisting of songs performed by Schreyer and his team. The hero of the film tells the story of Drohobych, Schulz, war, and the family that lost during the war. The stories sometimes painful, but also those that cause a smile, even through tears. The film contains a lot of archival material, photographs and dialogues niewyreżyserowanych - specific beads, which represent the value of this document. Alfred Schreyer, telling his story, no complains - the facts, sometimes even with the zest it says. "So many years on stage - he says - and his voice is still the same. What I said help it, that keeps me still? "
"When Dorothy playing foxtrot"
The evening, organized by the Spiro Ark and the Polish Cultural Institute in London, who led Nitze Spiro - after the concert - said that when he first saw Alfred was not sure whether the singer will cope with an aging hardships performance. Schreyer was born in 1922, so her fears were unfounded does not, especially after a tiring journey from Drohobycz singer to London. But to her surprise, and perhaps a few other people who have come to the concert, Schreyer statement is not just worship boast - the voice kept him really! And this charisma. It could have been shared among the few contemporary singers. "Music and concerts add to the force" - said after a recital Malgorzata Sady. And there is no denying that this man Alfred Schreyer scenes, with a capital "S".
Alfred Schreyer Trio performance made a real sensation. Done a lot of pictures. There were those who live and recorded on camera phones. In one of the first row sat Mr. Ronald Stein, who sketched during a recital musicians. There are several drawings, in which according Trio made their autographs. You could feel that the evening was one of those exceptional.
Alfred Schreyer Trio composed of Lowa Lobanov (keyboards) and Tadeusz Whey (accordion) and Alfred Schreyer (vocals and violin), made the Polish pre-war hits, popular Jewish melodies and songs in Yiddish, Russian and Ukrainian. As stated before the concert beautifully leading evening Spiro Nitza, the music combines different cultures. I can say that Alfred Schreyer is the best example.
Although Alfred is an undeniable leader of the group, it shows that artists are drohobyccy together very Tune and Comne music-making gives them great satisfaction. What perfectly sensed gathered listeners. Trio, with special contribution of Alfred, has created an unforgettable atmosphere that evening. Hands to themselves consisted of clapping with "Shalom Aleichem" and jumped on his feet "when Dorothy foxtrot game." The atmosphere of the second by second modified by the subsequent songs, with the careless, the sad, the sad in lyric, like the "Miasteczko Belz." Listeners were powerless - Schreyer conducted their mood. And when he came out, everyone was humming under his breath something else ...
"Great Concert", "congratulations" was heard. Present at the recital of George Jarosz was so impressed that he wondered if there drohobyckich musicians bring to the next concert in the New Year. Even before, barely gained the visa will expire. Would have succeeded, this concert is worth listening to, not once, but several times.

]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/797/article-about-our-event http://www.spiroark.org/blog/797/article-about-our-event 2011-12-30 14:06:55 Event - Wednesday 8th February 2012

We are pleased to be screening the film Kazik and the Kommander's Car at Spiroark on 8th February together with a special concert given by the film's producer Katy Carr.
There will be a questions and answers sessions after the screening and a chance to buy the DVD which will be released on 27th January 2011 Holocaust memorial day and in the 70th year of Kazik's escape from Auschwitz
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/796/kazik-and-the-kommander-s-car http://www.spiroark.org/events/796/kazik-and-the-kommander-s-car 2012-01-06 15:01:12 Class - Monday 16th January 2012

This class is for total beginners. We will start with the Yiddish "alef-beys", simple conversation, reading, writing and Yiddish songs. We will be using the Yiddish textbook by Sheva Zucker (Vol.1), Units 1 - 6.

Teacher: Khayke Beruriah Wiegand ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/classes/795/total-beginners-yiddish-new-class http://www.spiroark.org/classes/795/total-beginners-yiddish-new-class 2012-01-13 13:55:40 Class - Tuesday 17th January 2012

For those who know nothing or those who wish to build up good foundations. This level intends to make the students enjoy building up their knowledge from scratch. Don't worry, it is sheer fun! (if you make a small effort you will be greatly surprised at your progress)
Teachers: Nitza Spiro and Lea Solomon ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/classes/794/total-beginners-hebrew-new-class http://www.spiroark.org/classes/794/total-beginners-hebrew-new-class 2012-01-11 14:52:49 Event - Tuesday 10th January 2012

A book event by Eva Mayer Schay
OF EXHILE AND MUSIC
A TWENTIETH CENTURY LIFE
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/793/of-exile-and-music http://www.spiroark.org/events/793/of-exile-and-music 2012-01-25 10:27:09 Event - Saturday 21st January 2012

A dramatic song cycle for tenor solo, vocal ensemble and cello sextet ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/792/the-angel-in-the-forest http://www.spiroark.org/events/792/the-angel-in-the-forest 2011-12-09 12:27:31 Blog Entry - Friday 9th December 2011

Julian Dawes is a versatile and most inspiring composer who for many years now has been associated with the Spiro Ark musical programme and other cultural ventures.
We feel honoured to have just hosted a fascinating evening of dialogue between Julian and a musicologist Dr Alex Knapp.
We are delighted to promote his latest CD of his outstanding works and we promise you never being tired of listening to them whatever your musical tastes are.
These Five Outstanding works (Sonata for Violin and Piano, Sonatina for French Horn and Piano, Elegie for Violin and Piano, Sonata for Cello and Piano, Sonatina for Clarinet in B flat and Piano) from the composer Julian Dawes are available from Amazon and all good record shops.
Distributed by Select Music & Video Distribution Ltd 01737645600
Please have a look at www.omnibusclassics.com for more details

]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/791/five-outstanding-works-from-the-composer-julian-dawes http://www.spiroark.org/blog/791/five-outstanding-works-from-the-composer-julian-dawes 2011-12-14 11:12:43 Event - Sunday 11th December 2011

Rivers of Babylon @ Spiro Ark
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/790/a-musical-feast-of-iraqi-jewish-vintage-bollywood-and-arabic-songs-and-instrumentals-and-many-hanukkah-songs http://www.spiroark.org/events/790/a-musical-feast-of-iraqi-jewish-vintage-bollywood-and-arabic-songs-and-instrumentals-and-many-hanukkah-songs 2011-11-09 11:47:46 Blog Entry - Wednesday 9th November 2011

A drawing of our friend artist - Ronald Stein during a concert of well-known Gerard Edery & Malgorzata Panko at the Spiro Ark's Centre ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/789/panko-duo http://www.spiroark.org/blog/789/panko-duo 2011-11-09 11:37:12 Blog Entry - Wednesday 9th November 2011

Is there anything you want to change in your life?

Do you ever find well-meant advice patronising and condescending?

Are you curious about the transformative power of humour and reverse psychology?

If so, a visit to the Chutzpah Clinic might be just what you need.

The Chutzpah Clinic is a completely new type of Citizens Advice Bureau.

At your service in front of a live audience rooting for your success will be:

• Provocative Consultant - Dr Brian Kaplan
• Comedy Consultant - Arnold Brown
• Guest Comedian *

The Chutzpah Clinic is fully interactive and will function as a Provocative Advice Bureau inviting volunteers from the audience to be clients.

Brian, Arnold and the guest comedian will sympathetically use comedy and absurdity to provoke clients to get whatever they want in life. The Chutzpah Clinic will focus on getting results and volunteers will be invited to a brief follow-up session a month later when the clinic reconvenes.

No issue or goal will be considered too trivial for the Chutzpah Clinic.

Dr Brian Kaplan: Provocative Consultant
Brian Kaplan is a medical doctor with a special interest in whole person medicine. He has trained extensively with Frank Farrelly, the founder of Provocative Therapy, the cutting edge of the use of humour and reverse psychology in therapy. In the Chutzpah Clinic he will be not be practising medicine or therapy but giving 'provocative style advice' about everyday issues. He will be aided in this by Comedy Consultant Arnold Brown and his Guest Comedians.

Arnold Brown: Comedy Consultant
While still a full-time chartered accountant, Arnold Brown performed at the opening night of the original Soho Comedy Store in 1979 alongside Alexie Sayle, Rik Mayall et al. In 1987 he won the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He is currently engaged in a series of live interviews with leading comedians at comedy festivals throughout the UK.
'The best laconic comedian in the country'. Time Out

Dates for the Chutzpah Clinic

7.30 pm Thursday 24th November: Guest Comedian: Helen Lederer

£8 per clinic. Clients will be given a free pass to the next sitting of the Chutzpah Clinic
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/788/the-chutzpah-clinic http://www.spiroark.org/blog/788/the-chutzpah-clinic 2011-11-09 11:29:03 Blog Entry - Wednesday 9th November 2011

Harif, Spiro Ark and Exiled Writers Ink present

Pillar of Salt, thirty years on:
a tribute to Albert Memmi

Wednesday 23 November, 7.30pm

Film (57 minutes) and Lecture by Professor Debra Kelly
How to Live: One Question and Six or Seven Life Lessons with Albert Memmi

It is thirty years since the film Pillar of Salt, based on the autobiographical novel by the great sociologist and writer Albert Memmi, captured the cultural richness and social complexity of a Jewish boy's life in Tunis.

Harif, Spiro Ark and Exiled Writers Ink are proud to have put together this tribute to Albert Memmi The evening will feature a screening of the film and a talk by one of the foremost experts on his work, Professor Debra Kelly.

Debra Kelly is Professor of French and Francophone Literary and Cultural Studies in the Department of Modern and Applied Languages, University of Westminster, London.. Her major publications are Pierre Albert-Birot. A Poetics in Movement, A Poetics of Movement (1997) and Autobiography and Independence. Selfhood and Creativity in North African Postcolonial Writing in French (2005).
Tickets £8 from The Spiro Ark - 020 7723 9991 Fax 0207 723 8191 Education@spiroark.org

Venue: Spiro Ark Centre, 25 -26 Enford Street, W1 H 1DW
Virtually opposite the Landmark Hotel
www.harif.org ; www.spiroark.org ; www.exiledwriters.co.uk
------ End of Forwarded Message
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/blog/786/harif-spiro-ark-and-exiled-writers-ink-present http://www.spiroark.org/blog/786/harif-spiro-ark-and-exiled-writers-ink-present 2011-12-09 11:05:17 Event - Wednesday 7th December 2011

Artist/author Jean Paul Leon will be introduced by Nitza Spiro ]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/785/the-jewish-contribution-to-universal-culture http://www.spiroark.org/events/785/the-jewish-contribution-to-universal-culture 2011-12-16 14:05:17 Event - Wednesday 14th December 2011

A film (by Marcin Gizycki and Malgorzata Sady, Kronika Studio,)
+ concert by Alfred Schreyer Trio
]]> http://www.spiroark.org/events/784/alfred-schreyer-from-drohobycz http://www.spiroark.org/events/784/alfred-schreyer-from-drohobycz