The Jewish Heritage Museum Presents “From Felix Mendelssohn to Paul Ben-Haim: The Odyssey of the German Jewish Composer,” Concert



 From the beginning of Jewish emancipation in the 19th century, Jewish composers played a major role in German musical life. During the 19th century, Romantic composers Salomon Jadassohn and Friedrich Gernsheim, among others, followed in Felix Mendelssohn’s footsteps as prominent composers, teachers, and conductors. As the 20th century unfolded and Hitler came to power, the path for German Jewish composers became more difficult. In the end, many composers fled into exile.  Korngold, Schoenberg, Zemlinsky, Kurt Weill, and others came to the United States, while Paul Ben-Haim (born Paul Frankenburger) left for Palestine in 1933 where he became the father of Israeli classical music. Others, like Viktor Ullman and Erwin Schulhoff, were less fortunate and were murdered in the death camps.



Pianist Alan Mallach will provide a narrative and play the music of these composers, beginning with Mendelssohn and ending with Ben-Haim, while illuminating their lives and the rich, bittersweet story of Jewish composers in Germany. “From Felix Mendelssohn To Paul-Haim: The Odyssey of the German Jewish Composer” will take place on Sunday, March 29, 2015; at 2 PM. Tickets are $15 members and $18 non-members.



Alan Mallach, a resident of Roosevelt NJ, is a pianist and composer who has performed widely in New Jersey and elsewhere. In addition to performing, Mallach is an expert on late 19th and 20th century Italian opera, author of Pietro Mascagni and his Operas, and The Autumn of Italian Opera.  He is also known for his work in housing and urban revitalization, and has authored many books and articles on those subjects.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Museum at 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org to make reservations online. The Jewish Heritage Museum is located at 310 Mounts Corner Drive in Freehold. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is handicapped accessible.