4pm Concert in Organ Studio, 1655A Schoenberg Music Building

Reception and End of the Year Awards Ceremony to follow in the courtyard.

Mendelssohn’s “Jewish” Legacy? The Organ Works of Louis Lewandowski and Beyond

In the wake of the 18th century Jewish Enlightenment, the organ – an instrument heavily associated with Christian liturgical practice – was incorporated into Berliner synagogues as a symbol of the German Jewish community’s participation in modern life.

The composer most heavily associated with this trend is Louis Lewandowski (1823 – 1894), an immigrant from the Prussian province of Posen who fused Church organ forms and styles with melodies derived from the “traditional” cantorial repertoire.

In this lecture concert, Lewandowski’s approach to cultural assimilation is contrasted with his predecessor Felix Mendelssohn, a composer whose engagement with the organ reflected his self-identification as a Lutheran.

While radically different in some respects, the trajectories of these two musicians also cross. A closer look at the historical circumstances of Lewandowski’s arrival in Berlin indicates that the Mendelssohn family was among his most important patrons. Lewandowski’s own approach to Jewish practice, meanwhile, was more ambivalent than is often supposed. While remembered for his synagogue compositions, works recently uncovered at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin indicate that this composer may not have intended to dedicate his career exclusively to the Jewish community.


Christoph Bull – organ

And performers from the Department of Musicology

 

For More details contact Barbara Van Nostrand: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it