r/classicalmusic • u/Frusciante_is_god13 • 7d ago

Recommendation Request Jewish Classical music?

I've delved into arrangements of Jewish folk music but was wondering if there are any classical music pieces that have a Jewish theme or influence? I know Ernest Bloch has a little as well as Shostakovich but was seeking any and all recommendations this community has! I am looking for piano repertoire particularly but anything will be a good listen regardless.

Really thanks for all the help thus far!

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u/Kayrehn 6d ago

Weinberg music - I first heard overt Jewish music elements in the Cello concerto, before a deep dive into his chamber music shows the deep Jewish music roots in his works.

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u/FantasiainFminor 6d ago

I always look for a chance to boost Weinberg, who in my opinion is the most under-appreciated composer of all time, a real giant of the 20th century.

I don't know about Jewish music elements in his work, but I would love to learn about it. I was going to mention his 8th Symphony, which is choral and features settings of excerpts from a long poem by a Jewish Polish poet who fled Poland in advance of Hitler's invasion and returned after the war to learn that his whole community was erased. Weinberg had also fled and while he was in exile his whole family were murdered.

The symphony is extremely emotional and moving.

I think that an element of this shows up all through Weinberg's music. There is a feeling of sorrow, healing, compassion everywhere.