Recorded live in Bordeaux, this is the first Brave Old World CD to appear on the prestigious Winter & Winter label, famous worldwide for the highest standards in recording quality, design, and concept.
Developed over the last 15 years, Song of the Lodz Ghetto is a unique musical work, a song cycle in which memory and imagination freely interact to create a Proustian journey between present and past. At the center are Brave Old World's arrangements of the rare Jewish street and cabaret songs from the Nazi ghetto of Lodz, Poland, 1940-44. Leading through the Lodz repertoire like stepping-stones through the river of memory are Brave Old World's own original compositions, reflections on 17 years of performing Jewish music. Michael Alpert's moving Berlin 1990 forms the emotional and musical counterpoint to the passionate and ironic street songs of the bard of the Lodz ghetto, Yankele Herszkowicz. A musical and spiritual journey of resistance, love, and reconciliation.
The superior recording quality of this CD is matched by outstanding cover art by Steve Byram and Warren Linn, as well as detailed song texts and liner notes in Yiddish, English, and German.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Bravo!! The Song of the Lodz Ghetto:
Having both seen the performance of this material live and listened to this CD, I can say that the CD captures the performance very well. I am so glad that the performance has been preserved and can be disseminated in this way. I recommend the CD most highly as a passionate expression of the years-long ordeal and loss of the Holocaust. Excellent musicianship and dramatic presentation. This reminder of that high crime against humanity speaks with an eloquence beyond words to all who cherish justice and the... more info
awesome!!! buy this!!!:
This is a great CD by the best Klezmer band in the world!! I have been listening to Alan Bern's music since 1965 through all of its many variations, and with this performance he is clearly at the top of his game. I encourage everyone to buy a CD for themselves and more for their friends and family!!! Clearly a winner!!!
Five stars is not high enough:
Brave Old World has been performing this cycle of music based on songs written by Jews in the Lodz Ghetto during WWII. The rolling cadences of the band's music, and Michael Alpert's amazing voice make this a "must have" recording for anyone interested in wonderful, life-affirming Jewish music. Brave Old World have never sounded better - which given what an amazing band they are, live and in concert, is no small feat. Those interested in music from the Holocaust will also regard this as essential, on part... more info
