When nine leading composers, including world-renowned musicians Deborah Conway, Paul Grabowsky, Lior and Josh Abrahams, accepted the challenge to musically interpret Yiddish poems, no one knew what to expect. Along with fellow songwriters Willy Zygier, Simon Starr, Adam Starr, Tomi Kalinski and Juliana Kay, this talented group transformed traditional and modern Yiddish poetry into new, original, moving and catchy songs. Drawing from the rich Yiddish canon – Itzik Manger, Avraham Sutzkever, Rachel Korn, Kadya Molodowsky, Aaron Zeitlin and H Leivick, as well as contemporary poet Hinde Ena Burstin – they explored themes of divinity, fate, love and loss. The composers reframed the writers’ timeless words into musical genres as diverse as rock, funk, pop, reggae, electronica, folk and choral chants.
It was a memorable night, as an audience of more than 700 enjoyed the sold-out show at St Kilda’s National Theatre. Popular singers Galit Klas, Karen Feldman and the three Zygier sisters Alma, Hettie and Syd, joined breathtaking aerialist Rockie Stone, beloved Yiddishist Danielle Charak, Yiddish actors Isaac Apel and Joshua Reuben, and some young stars of the future as they breathed new life into these cherished, reimagined works.
Now we can all relive the magic in this specially edited film of the one-and-only performance on March 3, 2019. Conceived and co-directed by KYT Artistic Co-Directors Galit Klas and Evelyn Krape, this brilliant show is in Yiddish and English with English surtitles. Press play below to enjoy, or click here to link directly to YouTube.