Encyclopedia of Music Composed in Concentration Camps, CD 12

Angelo de Leonardis (Performer), Samuel Cohen (Composer), Robert Emanuel Heilbut (Composer), Jozef Kropinski (Composer), Zikmund Schul (Composer), Nicola Marasco (Conductor), Francesco Lotoro (Performer), Libera Granatiero (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Angelo de Leonardis, Francesco Lotoro, Libera Granatiero
• Conductor: Nicola Marasco
• Composer: Samuel Cohen, Robert Emanuel Heilbut, Jozef Kropinski, Zikmund Schul
• Audio CD (August 25, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: KZ Musik
• ASIN: B002ED6V4A
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,512 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pange lingua, for chorus

2. Hatikvah (National Anthem, Israel)

3. Mogen Ovos

4. Uv'tzeil knofecho, for voice & piano

5. Zaddik

6. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Erinnering

7. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Starsong

8. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Als ogen konden spreken

9. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Enchanté

10. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Je moet niet denken

11. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: De Essenholers

12. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: De nuttige Verpleegsters

13. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Wiegenlied A.o.

14. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Vitamine R.

15. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: De vrye dag

16. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Nou ja, die kunst

17. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: BB-lied

18. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: No. 18

19. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Santilhano-Marsch

20. Muziekboekje, pieces for chamber ensembles: Dat ene kwartierje

See all 36 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Gapplegate Music Review, Grego Edwards, October 22, 2009

KZ Musik is in the process of issuing a comprehensive CD series covering music written from 1933 to 1945, the Encyclopedia of Music Composed in Concentration Camps. I have been listening to their sixth volume and it is a very moving experience. It the midst of one of the most evil series of actions in the history of the world, the human spirit asserts itself here with eleven composers who refused to be spiritually defeated.

The courage of these musicians should serve as a model for all of us today. Whether the compositions are absolute classics or not is moot. The fact of their existence demands that they be heard, not forgotten, and that they be an active part of the cultural heritage of the 20th century.

The music is noble and filled with a strength that goes beyond styles and fashions. The compositions in Volume 6 include the solo vocal cantation-style works of Josef Pinkhof, William Hilsley's haunting "Fantasia on Provencal Christmas Carol," songs for voice and piano, solo piano pieces, chamber works.

Each volume contains an informative booklet.

It is music that on one level is hard to listen to. What monstrosity let this happen? But ultimately these composers were writing the music in the hopes that we and their God might hear. These are like musical messages in a bottle, for us and the generations to follow. Do not forget our sufferings, they seem to be saying. If we can write beautiful music under such traumatically harrowing conditions, then you have no excuse. Music must flourish, musicians must be heard. If not civilization does not stand a chance on this earth.

Getting at least one of these CDs and listening is a symbolic act of solidarity with those victims of a world gone criminally insane. And the music is worthwhile.

American Record Guide, Mark L Lehman, November-December 2009

Volume 12 (69 minutes) begins with Kropinski's brief unaccompanied choral setting of a Latin text, `Pange Lingua', then continues with a lovely setting for a cappella female choir of an Italian text by Settimia Spizzichino (1921-2000) using the traditional Hebraic melody of the Hatikvah. Next are three items by Zikmund Schul: a Jewish prayer, `Mogen Owaus' (Our Fathers' Shield), imposingly set for soprano, baritone, chorus, and organ, and two short arrangements of Hebraic melodies for string quartet, replete with droning fifths and klezmerish parlandos and portandos. The bulk of the program is occupied by 30 short numbers, scored for various combinations of two flutes, clarinet, two saxophones, trumpet, and two guitars, with one item adding male choir--all taken from the Muziekboekje (Little Music Book) of Dutch composer and arranger Robert Emanuel Heilbut (1919- 45). These are reworkings of popular Dutch songs in a genial, well-mannered dance-hall mode that would have set the feet tapping and brought much-needed smiles to the faces of their intended audience. Good tunes are never out of place and never go out of style.

See all Editorial Reviews