Poster U.S. Holocaust Museum Commemorations
A visitor lights a memorial candle during the annual Names Reading ceremony to commemorate those who perished in the Holocaust at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
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Listen: 'Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words'

Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words

Jan. 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Classical music host Mindy Ratner has gathered a collection of conversations with some of those touched directly by the Holocaust. Listen now to Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.

A dozen years before the beginning of World War II, the Nazis began what would become the unparalleled slaughter of Europe's "undesirables," most of whom were Jews. Millions would die, but there were survivors, too, each with a unique story. Classical music host Mindy Ratner has gathered a collection of conversations with some of those touched directly by the Holocaust, and those conversations form the basis of Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.

Mindy's guests include Theodore Bikel — actor, singer, social activist and master storyteller — who came to the Twin Cities in June 2013, and longtime radio professional Martin Goldsmith, plus members of our own community with stories and insights to share.

The music is especially poignant for the observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and enhances the special nature of the program.

Program Playlist

Maurice Ravel (arr. D. Hope): "Kaddish" from Two Hebrew Melodies
Daniel Hope, violin
from Forbidden Music (Nimbus 5702)

Lukas Foss: Elegy for Anne Frank (1989)
Kevin McCutcheon, piano
Berlin Radio Symphony Orch/Christopher Wilkins, conductor
from Lukas Foss: Elegy for Anne Frank (Naxos 8.559438)

Paul Ben-Haim: Suite No. 2, Mvt. III: “Nocturne” (1936)
Gila Goldstein, piano
from Paul Ben-Haim (Centaur 2506)

Paul Ben-Haim: Pastorale Variée (1945)
David Drosinos, clarinet
St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vladimir Lande
from Portals (Marquis 81423)

Stephen Paulus: Interlude: "Veil of Tears," from To Be Certain of the Dawn (2005)
Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Osmo Vänskä
(BIS 1726)

Carlo Sigmund Taube: "Ein Jüdisches Kind"
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Bengt Forsberg, piano
Ib Hausmann, clarinet
from Terezin/Theresienstadt (DGG 477 6546)

Hans Gal: Symphony No. 1, Mvt. III: “Elegie”
Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair
from Kindred Spirits (Avie 2224)

Ilse Weber (music and text): "Und der Regen Rinnt"
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Bengt Forsberg, piano
Bebe Risenfors, double bass
from Terezin/Theresienstadt (DGG 477 6546)

Hans Gal: Serenade for Strings (Mvts. I & III)
Symphony Nova Scotia, conducted by Georg Tintner
from Late Romantics/Neo-Romantiques (CBC 5167)

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Melancolia
Christopher Parkening, guitar
from The Artistry of Christopher Parkening (EMI 54853)

Krzysztof Penderecki: Kadisz (Kaddish) (Mvt. IV) (2009)
Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, tenor
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Male Choir, conducted by Antoni Wit
from Penderecki: Magnificat/Kadisz (Naxos 8.572697)

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