Join internationally renowned violinist Ilana Zaks for an inspiring musical lunch + learn, delving into how classical composers have drawn from Jewish heritage to create music of profound emotion, innovation, and cultural resonance.

The program opens with Lera Auerbach’s T’filah (Prayer)—a deeply introspective work that captures the essence of spiritual longing through minimalist textures and expressive depth. Auerbach, a Russian-Jewish composer and poet, weaves together modern compositional language with timeless themes of faith, memory, and identity.

The following is Ernest Bloch’s Sonata No. 1, a powerful and emotionally charged piece that blends dramatic intensity with rich harmonic writing. Bloch often infused his music with Jewish liturgical and folk motifs, creating a uniquely expressive voice within the Western classical tradition.

Fritz Kreisler’s Recitative and Scherzo offers a shift in tone, showcasing Kreisler’s signature warmth and virtuosity. While not overtly centered on Jewish themes, his lyrical phrasing and folk-inspired language reflect a deeply personal artistic sensibility.

Next is Gabriela Lena Frank’s Elu D’vorim, a dynamic work that draws from Latin American folk traditions and Jewish texts. Frank’s multicultural background informs her vibrant compositional style, merging rhythmic vitality with spiritual reflection.

The program concludes with Erwin Schulhoff’s Sonata, a bold and compelling piece marked by sharp contrasts, jazz influences, and modernist experimentation. Schulhoff, a Jewish composer silenced by the Holocaust, left behind a body of work that speaks to resilience, playfulness, and radical creativity.

Together, these works illuminate the many ways Jewish identity, heritage, and history have inspired some of the most heartfelt and innovative music written for the violin.