A Musical Gathering: Viola and Organ Performance at the Bergisch Gladbach Organ Summer, where Church and Synagogue unite for a shared concert experience
In a unique collaboration, renowned viola player Semjon Kalinowsky and organist Guy Poupart are set to perform at St. Clemens Church in Bergisch Gladbach on June 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This special event aims to resonate and revive Christian organ music and Jewish liturgy, bridging traditional and modern music.
Semjon Kalinowsky, a Lviv and Gdańsk-trained violist, hails from Lübeck and tours Europe and Israel as a soloist and chamber musician. Guy Poupart, a specialist in liturgical music and improvisation, is known for his work in church contexts. Their joint performance promises a captivating blend of classical, sacred, and possibly Jewish liturgical music.
The concert program includes timeless works such as Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei," Ernest Bloch's "Prayer," and Louis Lewandowski's "Synagogue Melodies." It also features lesser-known compositions by Joseph Sulzer and Joachim Stutschewsky.
Almost every larger city in Germany had a synagogue organ until 1938. This tradition continues to influence the combination of Viola and Organ, offering a range of sounds from opulent fullness to delicate melancholy.
The funds raised from the concert will support the "Green House" therapy center in Ganey Tikva, Israel. This centre provides comprehensive support for families struggling with mental illness, anxiety, trauma, and emotional difficulties. Notably, the "Green House" also supports victims of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 07.10.2023.
Admission to the event is free, but donations for the "Green House" therapy center in Ganey Tikva, Israel, are welcome. For more information, you can contact Willy F. Bartz, a member of the Ganey Tikva - Bergisch Gladbach Twinning Association e.V.
St. Clemens Church, with its historic acoustics and tradition of sacred music, is an ideal venue for such a concert. While detailed information about this specific event is not readily available, "Green House" therapy centers often emphasize healing environments, sometimes incorporating music therapy. The concert promises to provide a contemplative and healing musical experience.
For those seeking precise historical details about this event or the specific repertoire performed, it is recommended to check the official websites or event programs of St. Clemens Church or the Green House therapy center for curated concert histories or to contact the artists or organizers directly.
The upcoming concert at St. Clemens Church in Bergisch Gladbach, featuring Semjon Kalinowsky and Guy Poupart, promises to offer an enthralling blend of entertainment, combining classical, sacred, and possibly Jewish liturgical music. Music enthusiasts can look forward to listening to timeless works such as Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei," Ernest Bloch's "Prayer," and Louis Lewandowski's "Synagogue Melodies," along with lesser-known compositions by Joseph Sulzer and Joachim Stutschewsky.
