Here you have found the first internet pages of Agency TOJWE. By that, we've made the big step from printed materials to the electronically published internet information. Since our main area of operation are the german-speaking territories, we've made available in the following only Information of our internationally available Artists.
For all of you, who've never heard before about TOJWE, we want to give you a short introduction to our Agency and our business
Agency TOJWE presents jewish artists and events about Jewish cultural topics. Since the Jewish definition of the term culture is very comprehensive and covering all areas of life, we also offer a very widespread program of artists and events. It covers scenic Readings, Song Recitals, Piano Concerts, Lecture Evenings, Seminars in a range from jewish cooking to jewish Dance and last, but not least Concerts of the Hatikva Chamber Orchestra and of Jakov Magid - accompanied by his 'Folks Zinger' from Vilnius, Lithuania.
TOJWE has the Intention to bring Jewish culture, which is formed mostly by a dialogue with its non-jewish environment, from the ghetto of commemoration days into the ordinary program of any event promoter.
We have found out, that people are more and more curious about Jewish topics and the Jewish way of life. By this proposal of programs we want to help you satisfying your needs. By that we also fulfill a political demand: the most perfidious form to express Anti-Semitism, the so named Philo-Semitism, is only being beatable by information and knowledge.
If you miss any topics or kinds of events in these contents, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone, telefax or e-mail. We're able to offer nearly any kind of program by our excellent contacts to friendly institutions.
All descriptions of our programs are available in short form. Please tell us, which topic you're interested in at most and we'll ship as soon as possible further Information like a complete program description, press information and sample recordings to you.
TOJWE is a word of the yiddish language and means relief, a good deed or a good thing. We want to offer you and your guests a lot of good things with our event offerings.
We hope, you'll like our program for 1998 and 1999 and look forward to a co-operation with you.
Shalom
If you want to set a link to our Webserver, feel free to do so. Please use the following banner and drop us a Note.
Elizabeth Neiman and Judy Kadar
Elizabeth Neimann is a Mezzosprano born in Atlanta, GA, USA. After studying at Swarthmore College, Washington University, St. Louis and Hochschule der Kuenste, Berlin she decided to stay and work in Berlin, Germany. Judy V. Kadar, her partner on various kinds of historical harps, born in Hungary, grew up in New York City and took her classes on the High School of Music and the Arts, New York University, Mannes College of Music with Lucile Lawrence and at Sarah Lawrence College, NY State. She is founder and long-term leader of the 'Historical Harp Conference' at Amherst, MA. She is also founding member of the 'International Historical Harp Society' and the 'American Histroical Harp Society'. Since 1979 she also lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
Newspaper Comments
The London Independent Magazine, 13.3.93
"E. N. and her accompanist are performing early Lieder of Schönberg, which, in Elizabeth’s interpretation, have a warmth and passionate Intensity unexpected in this composer’s work... the windows shake, the room is bursting with music."
For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Jakov Magid - famous Jewish singer, musician and actor from Vilnius (Lithuania).
The group "Fajerlech" ("Flickers") was founded by him in 1971. Jakov Magid has been working with that group for a long creative period. Those "flickers" had helped the Youth of the 70 not to forget their own music and culture.
Jakov Magid was invited to the Philharmonic Society of Birobidgian in the middle of the 80's, where he had become the leader of a professional Jewish show group "Frejiex" ("Merriment"). That group was the only professional group in the USSR at that time. The disc "Play more" was recorded in 1981.
Solo songs were heard on the disc "The entrance of stars", which appeared in 1984. Those discs also appeared in many European countries. Jakov Magid invited colleagues and like-minded people to from a musical-theatre group "Folk singers". He is the leader of this group now.
There were incredible difficulties caused by the regime during this creative period. but at the same time, there was great optimism resulting from small victories on the stages of Lithuania. On one hand, travel to neighboring republics was entirely prohibited, but on the other hand there were great ovations on the stages of different cities and countries: Berlin, Munich... in Germany; Genova, Zurich... in Switzerland; Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem... in Israel; Warsaw... in Poland; Moscow in Russia; Kiev in Ukraina; London... in England.
The press of those countries unanimously commended the exciting skill in portraying the folk traditions of the Jewish people. The style of singing is taken as if in a Jewish home. There is gentieness and warmth, and liveliness of interpretation. Sometimes this is covered as a story, sometimes an entire dramatic ballad, sometimes - a joke in a song.
6 audiodiscs of this singer and his group ("Folk singers") have been recorded. The first "CD" appeared in Prague in 1993. The musical videofilm "To life" appeared in 1994. This film is the product of a joint effort. by Jakov Magid and Lithuanian TV. All works from these musical programmes have been performed by famous composers, musicians and musical groups, such as: Felix Slovachek, Indra Govorka (CSFR); Vladimir Terleckij, Vladeslav Grochovskij, Vladimir Vinogradov (Russia); Alexander Batovas (Lithuania, Vilinius); Djoel Rubin (USA).
The three members of the Jerusalem Lyric Trio, each a prominent soloist, joined together to form this unique chamber group in 1994. Since then they have become one of Israel's most acclaimed ensembles.
Their imaginative, well-balanced programs combine familiar repertoire with selections inspired by biblical texts, the holy city of Jerusalem, the landscape of Israel and traditional melodies.
The Jerusalem Lyric Trio was featured in the "Old Testament in the Arts" Festival (Prague 1995), followed by performances in Hungary and Poland. During their concert tour in Germany in 1996 they appeared in the "Juedische Kuenstlertage" Festival at Gasteig Centre in Munich.
The Jerusalem Lyric Trio frequently performs compositions written especially for them. Their concerts are always received with great enthusiasm.
Amalia Ishak
Amalia Ishak was born in Isreal where she made her debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra unter the baton of Zubin Mehta. She appears regularly in leading roles at the New Israeli Opera and is featured as guest artist with renowned orchestras in Israel and abroad.
Her interpretation of Petrassi's "Magnificat" at the Rome Opera Theatre and Max Stern's "Creation of the World", recently released on CD, brought her international recognition.
Amalia Ishak was personally selected by the late Leonard Bernstein to perform the world premiere of his work "Arias and Barcarolles" in Israel and London, and was acclaimed by the composer to be a "singer of outstanding quality, possessing extraordinary musiciality and versatility."
Wendy Eisler-Kashy
Wendy Eisler-Kashy is originally from San Francisco. She was praised by the New York Times at her Carnegie Recital Hall debut for her "remarkable depth of experience ... complete technical control, and an underlay of sensitivity that lent distinction to her performance."
She came to Israel in 1975 as principal flutist of the Jerusalem Symphony and since then has become a well-known soloist. She is often chosen to premiere new works by Israeli composers.
With Allan Sternfield, she formed the Jerusalem Duo which travels abroad on concert tour several times each year. They have represented Israel in international music festivals in Germany, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Russia. Their extensive Israeli repertoire has been recorded by many European radio stations.
Allan Sternfield
Allan Sternfield was born in the USA. He studied at the Peabody Conservatory with Walter Hautzig and later coached with Leon Fleisher and Wilhelm Kempff. He has concertized extensively in Europe, the USA, South America and the Far East.
Since moving to Israel in 1976, he has been very active as a soloist with orchestras, in chamber music concerts and solo recitals; and he has appeared three times in the prestigious Israel Festival.
Critics have warmly praised his "artistic maturity, interpretive power, and skill (Japan Times), his "impeccable technical resources and musical approach beyond reproach" (The Jerusalem Post), and his "complete mastery" (The London Daily Telegraph).
Mr. Sternfield has been on the faculty of the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance since 1976.
They performed with complete artistic dedication; each one proved himself a virtuoso soloist as well as a first-rate chamber musician.
The Jerusalem Lyric Trio's greatest moments were in those compositions based on Jewish religious tradition. The three internationally acclaimed soloists highlight the music of Israeli composers who are strongly rooted in Jewish belief... In Maurice Ravels "kaddish" Amalia Ishak gave a sense of infinity, introspective and at the same time strongly expressive. The tension between ancient tradition and contemporary musical composition made Max Stern's "Creation of the World" (Genesis) and Dina Smorganski's "If I should forget You, O Jerusalem" perfectly thrilling.
The flute and voice were equally secure in the difficult coloratura passages [of Scarlatti's "Solitudine Avenue"] which the soprano sang with a remarkably clear, sparkling full voice. Gentle, well-balanced tone, and brilliant perly runs characterized the flutist's playing in the Hummel Sonata. Her virtuoso and finely-contoured performance was admirably matched by the pianist. Allan Sternfield proved himself to be a brilliant soloist with his grandiose rendering of Chopin's "Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise"... Max Stern's "Creation of the World" (Bereshit) for voice, flute and piano evoked the mystery of the Creation, interspersed with psalmodic and melodic elements, soaring in elegy and ecstasy; the artists' fascinating performance introduced us to a modern Israeli composition.
The strongly expressive soprano Amalia Ishak displayed warm vocal colors. Wendy Eisler-Kashy executed to perfection the most difficult passages. Allan Sternfield performed brilliantly on the piano; he painted enchanting, full-voiced tonal tapestries.
Here you can leave us a short message. We'll try to serve your request as fast as possible