Classical music of the Western world is widely known to have evolved as part of the European tradition with significant ties to liturgical music of the Christian church. Often unknown or lesser recognized is the fact that Western classical music has various ancient antecedents including the early music of the Jewish liturgy. Long excluded from the practice of Western classical music, Jews were not only barred from church music but, until the Italian Renaissance and the later Enlightenment in other parts of Europe, Jews were likewise forbidden from public academies, organizations and functions.
Leah Crane, Soprano, Kerry Jennings, Tenor, Charles Stanton, Baritone, and Amanda Hopson, Pianist perform a variety of repertoire exploring the significant contributions of Jewish composers and performers to classical music.