The vignettes were followed by magnificently interpreted songs. An unforgettable evening: virtuosity and emotion were in unity. As “Elie Wiesel’s Cry”, the last song declares: “Cry it, shout it, proclaim it to the world. They must remember and not forget.”, so we, too, must “remember them, remember them”. |
La Lozere Nouvelle, France, Sept. 2008 |
In April of 2007, on Yom ha Shoa, Holocaust Memorial Concerts were presented in Tallinn, Estonia. The musical drama, “Voices of the Holocaust” was presented as part of the event. The concert was both thought provoking and moving. The performers were highly qualified professionals and the music was excellent, and the performance was well received. We recommend the Holocaust Memorial Concert without reservation for all the support needed to continue this important work. |
Rabbi Smuel Kot,
Chief Rabbi of Estonia, 2007 |
The soloist and the “soul” of the presentation touched the hearts of everybody in the auditorium. Her message was convincing and moving. |
Peeter Vosu, Political leader and
Director, ICEJ, Estonia, 2007 |
The soprano and the pianist had the leading role in the performance of the Holocaust Memorial through dramatic readings and superb, expressive classical song. The concert was executed with dignity and gravity, commemorating the genocide of six million Jews. At the same time, the future of the Jewish people and the restoration of the state of Israel was in focus. |
Ny Veg, Helsinki, Finland, Nov. 2005 |
Allow me to take this opportunity to thank our special friends in Norway for their continuous support and deeds on Israel’s behalf. Your tireless efforts and the knowledge that Israel is always in your heart, give us the strength and courage to continue in our search for the peace and prosperity we so desperately seek.
(In response to Oslo European premiere concert) |
Ezer Weizman, President of Israel, 1998 |
I am writing to endorse the Holocaust Memorial Concert. I was present at the world premiere in New York City in 1997. The music is beautifully composed and the content is powerfully moving. The first performance was a great success, and was followed by an enthusiastic ovation. |
Dr. Hadassah Guttmann, Author, “The Music of Paul Ben-Haim”, Scarecrow Press, London. |
". . . The Holocaust Memorial Concert featured American soprano, Martha Smith and Norwegian pianist, Dr. Haakon Smith. Also participating in the concert were Latvian artists: Inna Raykhman, violin, Dzidra Zemberga, cello and narrator, Mark Dubrovski, orating the tests of “Voices of the Holocaust” in Russian.
The music . . . was beautifully performed – from the soprano soloist to the piano, violin and cello. The vignettes relating the stories of survivors from concentration camps who resettled in New York City , along with others, were poignantly related by the narrator. Coupled with the multi-media projections of pictures of the survivors and from the Holocaust, the performance was heart-touching and transforming. It was a highlight of the entire week of concerts and brought to reality the horrors and suffering of the Jewish people during the years of the Holocaust. The performance was highly professional with fine musical and artistic presentations on the part of all participants. The music, vignettes and projections were moving and tastefully presented as a fitting memorial to the victims of this atrocity. It was an unforgettable evening which people in Riga have continued to speak about long after the event. I endorse the Holocaust Memorial Concert for presentation with my highest recommendations. |
Rabbi Menachem Barkahan, Director, Religious Community, “Shamir” Riga , Latvia |
