MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Berns
561-297-1164, tberns@fau.edu
FAU Libraries’ Post Concert Reception Celebrates Sold-Out Klezmer Company Orchestra Performance
Concert Featured 60 Performers with Highly Acclaimed Guest Vocalist Shira Lissek
BOCA RATON, FL (April 14, 2006) - Florida Atlantic University Libraries hosted a reception at the Live Oak Pavilion of the University Center on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, following the Klezmer concert, “Salsa, Strings and Swing.” The innovative, critically acclaimed Klezmer Company Orchestra presented a premier production with 60 performers and guest vocalist Shira Lissek before a sold-out audience of more than 2,300 people in the Carole and the Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium. The program combined the unique blended sounds of orchestral, Latin and Klezmer music, capturing the cultural energy of each genre. It included two original videos to accompany special works and a slide presentation displayed on two large screens. A second performance is planned for spring 2007 at Palm Beach Community College’s Eissey Campus Theatre, Palm Beach Gardens.
The musical extravaganza brought together the Klezmer Company Orchestra, Florida Atlantic University Libraries’ professional ensemble-in-residence, the 30-voice Judaica Choral Society, and a classical string orchestra made up of principal players from major local ensembles, all under the direction of Aaron Kula, director of music collections at FAU Libraries. The event was the ninth annual concert to benefit FAU Libraries’ Judaica Collection.
Converging to create a fusion of blended traditions, this program included music from Latin America, North America and Europe. The program highlighted recently discovered historical orchestrations from the early 20th century, “Yiddish Overture for Orchestra” and “Chassidic Suite.” In addition, new orchestrations composed by Kula, including “Freylach a la Mambo,” “Afro Cuban Bulgar,” “Wrong Note Freylach” and “A Yiddish Tango,” were performed. The program featured compositions by some of the great Jewish composers, such as Ellstein, Rumshinsky, Kammen, Olshanetsky, Chajes, Fields and others.
“Aaron Kula has managed, yet again, to transmute the Klezmer format into something entirely new, while retaining its original essence. Audiences who attend these performances every year have had the chance to see the genre expand before their eyes with each successive concert,” said Dr. William Miller, director of FAU Libraries.
The event gave FAU Libraries the opportunity to recognize and honor FAU benefactor and community leader Arthur Jaffe with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Honoree Jaffe is a quiet dynamo who has had several noteworthy careers during his lifetime – soldier, business leader, fund-raiser, book collector – any one of which would have been more than fulfilling for most people. He was honored for his multi-faceted commitment and contributions to the arts and humanities. Jaffe is also founder and curator of the Arthur and Mata Jaffe Collection: Books as Aesthetic Objects at FAU’s Wimberly Library and the major contributor to this extraordinary collection.
After the performance, a VIP reception was held for Jaffe, Klezmer Company Orchestra musicians and donors who support the many activities of the Libraries. Among those attending were Marianne Haycook, Jackie and Bert Harmon, Joe and Phyllis Merman, Alexandra Bracie, Lori-Nan Kaye, Shirley Kaye, Ziva Kaye Myer, David Myer, Dr. Tom Schvehla, Dr. Jesse J. Kaye, and Joshua Myer. Also present were Marleen and Harold Forkas; Connie Packman, president of LEAH, and Stan Packman; Richard and Barbara Berns; Dr. Lawrence F. Davenport, FAU’s executive vice president of University Advancement, and Mrs. Cecelia Davenport; Dr. John Pritchett, FAU provost and Chief Academic Officer, and Ginger Pritchett; Wendy and Larry Logue; Sy and Rhoda Cole; Linda Taft; Candy Diamond; Charna Larkin; Robert and Beverly Hurwitz and Jean Weisser.
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