Musical Gathering: Viola and Organ Performance Held at Bergisch Gladbach Organ Summer, Uniting Church and Synagogue
In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, on June 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM, St. Clemens Church (Kempener Str. 4, 51469 Bergisch Gladbach) will host a unique Viola and Organ concert. This event, organised by the Catholic Parish Community Bergisch Gladbach-West and the "Ganei Tikva - Bergisch Gladbach Twinning Association e.V.", aims to bridge cultural and religious divides by bringing together diverse musical traditions and performers.
The concert's programme promises an enchanting blend of classical works and lesser-known pieces. Semjon Kalinowsky, a viola virtuoso trained in Lviv and Gdańsk, will perform alongside Guy Poupart, an organist who started his musical journey in Luxembourg and holds a doctorate in chemistry. The duo will play compositions such as "Kol Nidrei" by Max Bruch, "Prayer" by Ernest Bloch, and "Synagogue Melodies" by Louis Lewandowski, as well as works by Joseph Sulzer and Joachim Stutschewsky, rediscovered through extensive research.
The organ, often seen as a controversial symbol within the Jewish community, was a common feature in larger German synagogues until 1938. This concert's inclusion of the organ, paired with the viola, offers a captivating contrast of sound, ranging from lush fullness to tender melancholy, from meditative relaxation to virtuosity and surprising contrasts.
The Viola and Organ concert is more than just a musical event. It is an interreligious dialogue, a testament to the power of music to unite people of different faiths. Admission to the concert is free, but donations for the "Green House" therapy center in Ganey Tikva, Israel, are welcome. The donations collected during the concert will support the center, which provides comprehensive support for families dealing with mental illness, anxiety, or trauma, as well as victims of the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 07.10.2023.
For more information about the concert, please contact Andreas Dewey at [email protected]. For details about the "Ganei Tikva - Bergisch Gladbach Twinning Association e.V.", please contact Willy F. Bartz at [email protected].
This concert is a significant step towards fostering unity through music in Bergisch Gladbach-West. Let the melodies of the viola and organ echo through the church, bridging divides and uniting people in a shared love for music.
- The Viola and Organ concert on June 28, 2025, at St. Clemens Church in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, will not only offer entertainment through its unique musical program but also serve as a platform for interreligious dialogue, showcasing the power of music to unite people of different faiths.
- The concert's program includes compositions by Max Bruch, Ernest Bloch, Louis Lewandowski, Joseph Sulzer, and Joachim Stutschewsky, promising an enthralling blend of classical works and lesser-known pieces, showcasing a captivating contrast of sound ranging from lush fullness to tender melancholy.
