– Leon Gurvitch’s Echoes of Chagall –

Some might claim that keeping certain forms of classical musical and artistic performance alive is a chore, the losing battle of some “opera and ballet”-loving old folk. And yet!

Last night, the Recital Hall of the Elbphilharmonie, the Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg, Germany was filled with a diverse audience: music aficionados and non-experts, people seeking the highest quality of classical music available to us today and those simply wanting to be entertained, young and old alike. And the Hall was SOLD OUT, all 550 seats occupied.

What could move so many people to attend a contemporary classical music concert involving only a piano, a string quartet, and an opera singer, a bass at that, mind you!?

And how could this audience’s attention and enthusiasm be kept throughout the evening?

THE ANSWER LIES IN THE TALENT AND ARTISTIC VISION OF LEON GURVITCH!

Last night, the audience that attended the concert entitled “Echoes of Chagall” had the privilege of partaking in a carefully constructed evening that showcased musicians of the highest caliber and offered, next to melodic and moving pieces that were recognizable and easy to enjoy, the world premiere of a vocal cycle that challenged the ear and the mind.

The evening started with Leon Gurvitch’s renditions of intimate pieces like “Letter to Mama” and later included more traditionally recognizable compositions and arrangements, for example his interpretation of John Williams’ “Theme from Schindler’s List.”

The concert also incorporated a piece for string quartet and piano in memory of Janusz Korczak, the former Polish physician and children’s activist who spent time in the Warsaw Ghetto and died at the Treblinka extermination camp alongside the children he was trying to protect. It also presented Leon Gurvitch’s Anne Frank Suite for piano and cello, honoring the young Jewish girl whose diary account of her two years spent in hiding has touched millions of readers around the world. Anne Frank and her family would ultimately be captured, and she died at the concentration camp in Bergen-Belsen.

The tone of the concert was solemn and reflective, sometimes melancholy, often emotional, but always with a touch of hope and a dedication to the joy of life. The music blended academic structures with Eastern European folk and jazz elements, while also encompassing the rich traditions of Jewish klezmer.

I was truly impressed by the string quartet comprising of Dana Anka and André Böttcher on violin, Anatol Masley on viola, and Eloy Medina on cello. The performances of these outstanding musicians delighted the audience and inspired many to sway and almost dance in their seats. On the other hand, the soft moments, where the music only whispered its messages, had the audience holding its breath until the sounds sweetly faded away.

But the highlight of the evening came after the intermission, when Leon Gurvitch and opera singer Alexander Roslavets performed the world premiere of the vocal cycle “Echoes of Chagall.”

More than a decade ago, composer and pianist Leon Gurvitch set out to create a concert that would vacillate between dream and memory. He wanted to remind audiences of the atrocities of war and of religious persecution, of the weight of migration and of immigrant destinies, while also offering hope and comfort. And he wanted to revisit and honor his Belarusian roots. So, he went back to a painter he has admired since childhood, mixed in some poetry, brought in an operatic voice, and created something truly remarkable.

Many people do not know that Marc Chagall was actually born in Belarus as Moishe (Movsha) Shagal, and that he only immigrated to France at the age of 35. Because most of Chagall’s works can be found at the Musée national Marc Chagall in Nice, or at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, most people think he was French. And, of course, most, as I do, associate Chagall with the very famous ceiling of the Opera Garnier, which is a brilliant tribute to music, opera, ballet, and architecture, since it depicts Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s La Traviata, Beethoven’s Fidelio, Ravel, Stravinsky, scenes from ballet like Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, along with Parisian monuments like the Eiffel Tower.

Chagall inspired Leon Gurvitch to start composing his “Echoes of Chagall,” but it would take several years before everything would fall into place. In 2010, Leon Gurvitch discovered the work of the Belarusian poet David Simanovich, who had worked hard over his lifetime to reestablish Chagall’s connection to his birthplace of Vitebsk.

At this point, Leon Gurvitch decided to create a vocal cycle for piano and bass and use the poetic words of David Simanovich as lyrics. But still, it was not until years later, when Leon Gurvitch met the opera singer Alexander Roslavets, a Belarusian bass, that Leon Gurvitch’s creation came full circle.

“Echoes of Chagall” is a complex and challenging work depicting the harsh realities of war. It shows off not only Alexander Roslavets’ amazing mastery of technique, but also his great emotional range. His chest voice is impressive and commands attention, but there is such tenderness and fragility that he can also express. His use of bocca chiusa conveyed the deep, traumatic pain and suffering found in Simanovich’s poems, while his head voice and falsetto again offered warmth and sensitivity.

The large majority of the audience was mesmerized and truly taken up by this powerful emotional interpretation unfolding on stage through the interplay of piano and voice. I am sure there were also those who felt somewhat overwhelmed and disconnected. In the end, though, the concert was a tremendous success, and it is my strong belief that all 550 spectators went home feeling that the evening was time well spent.

When the vocal cycle came to its conclusion, many stood to applaud, and a wave of excitement flooded the room. But when the performers left the stage, a blanket of silence enveloped the room. It was quite remarkable. Nobody talked. Nobody got up to leave. People just sat there, as if digesting what they had taken in. It was in this period of silence that I think everyone understood the magic that had been created.

Any mediocre artist can entertain an audience. Any innovative artist can come up with something new and challenging. And most gifted artist can thrill with amazing technique, unique style, and showmanship. But when is an artist exceptional?

I think Leon Gurvitch is exceptional. He is incredibly talented. He is an accomplished composer and pianist. He knows how to grab the audience’s attention and how to put on a great show. But he also knows how to work with other musicians and bring the best out of each one of them. And he knows how to share his gift with the audience.

After the performance of the vocal cycle “Echoes of Chagall,” and after leaving the audience to sit in silence for a few minutes, Leon Gurvitch took the stage again, thanked the audience for its attention and for considering his new composition with compassion and an open mind. And then he made a little joke, recognizing that the mood had become too heavy and needed to be lightened again. Accompanied by the string quartet, he then played pieces of hope and joy, for example his interpretation of a Jiddish Tango. He wrapped up the evening on a positive note, leaving the audience in the spirit of renewed hope.

Congratulations to all of the musicians involved in this project. Bravo, Leon Gurvitch! You are a true master and entertainer!

I had the pleasure of interviewing a few honored guests during the intermission. They included the Belarusian Honorary Consul to Hamburg, Dr. Martin Schröder, the politicians Anke Frieling and Michael Gwosdz, the artist Michaela Übelmesser and the actress Christiane Leuchtmann, as well as the content creator Vanessa Cassandra. You can watch these interviews on my YouTube channel @cultureumdrj, which I would be delighted if you would follow. (-;

After the concert, I also conducted an interview backstage with Leon Gurvitch and Alexander Roslavets. This video is also available on my usual channels.

Thank you for reading my article. Please make sure to leave a comment or a little like, as this helps others discover it as well.

All the best,
Dr. J