David Berger; Joyce Rosenzweig - Refuge: Art Songs by Jewish American Refugee Composers

On their new album REFUGE The Jewish-American Cantor David Berger from Chicago, and New York based pianist Joyce Rosenzweig reflect on an originally historic topic which unfortunately seems prevelant once again. America has been a unique place of refuge and safety for Jews from around the world for hundreds of years. It has not always been the perfect Goldene Medine (Golden Land) of immigrant lore. But, in no other place in history have Jewish communities been able to thrive as they have in the United States. An immigrant people in an immigrant land, many American-Jewish families can trace their ancestors' arrivals at Ellis Island or other ports of entry to the early 20th century.

Each of the composers whose music included in this CD came to the United States as refugees fleeing anti-Semitism. In America they found refuge. Their contributions to American-Jewish music (and American music more generally) are manifold.

This CD presents world premiere recordings of most of the works in the programme, and they represent a vital part of the story of American-Jewish music. They give testimony to the spirit and creativity of the refugee composers who crafted them.