Continuing Evolution: Yiddish Folksong Today

Concert In Person: Admission: $15 YIVO members & students: $10 Zoom Livestream: Admission: Free Watch the video

YIVO’s Continuing Evolution: Yiddish Folksong Today is a music festival celebrating Yiddish folksong. The festival includes premieres of contemporary classical works reimagining Yiddish folksongs; classic compositions which engage with Yiddish folksongs; little-known settings of Yiddish folksongs from YIVO’s archival collections; discussions of archival work related to the study and preservation of Yiddish folksong; and performances by contemporary artists engaged with Yiddish folksong.

This concert features music by Stefan Wolpe, Lazare Saminsky, and Joseph Achron, alongside the premiere of new works by Marti Epstein, Aaron Kernis, Anthony Russell/Uri Schreter, Judith Shatin, and Anat Spiegel. Performances will be by members of the Bard College Conservatory: soprano Abagael Cheng, soprano Maria Giovanetti, soprano Francesca Lionetta, soprano Montana Smith, and bass-baritone Michael A.M. Aoun. This evening also features performances by Carol Freeman and Zachary Scholl.

This program is co-sponsored by American Society for Jewish Music, The Center for Traditional Music and Dance’s An-sky Institute for Yiddish Culture, Congress for Jewish Culture, Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience, Milken Archive, and Yiddish New York.

The Sidney Krum Young Artists Concert Series is made possible by a generous gift from the Estate of Sidney Krum. 

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

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About the Performers

The Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard Conservatory is a unique Master of Music program in vocal arts. Created to prepare the young singer for the special challenges of pursuing a professional life in music in the 21st century, this two-year MM degree program balances a respect for established repertory and expressive techniques with the flexibility and curiosity needed to keep abreast of evolving musical ideas. Students work on operatic, art song, chamber music, and new music repertoire throughout the coursework of the program. Operatic repertoire is studied and performed throughout the curriculum and in fully staged productions at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The program also includes a strong practical component, with seminars and classes on career skills led by some of the leading figures in arts management and administration.