WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS CONCERT

Kol Nidrei is not a strictly Jewish prayer, but a ceremonial declaration recited in Synagogues before the evening service of Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”). It is written in a mixture of Aramic and Hebrew languages, and its name is taken from the opening words, which mean “all vows”.
David Popper was a Czech cello virtuoso, composer and teacher. His place in music history and importance for cello repertoire can be compared to the legacy of Nicolo Paganini for violin, and Franz Liszt for piano literature.
Gustav Mahler, as he himself stated, developed a permanent sense of exile. He was born to Jewish parents, but converted to Christianity later in his life. He frequently compared himself to Ahasuerus, the so called “Wondering Jew”, whose legend spread in Europe starting in the 13th century. Mahler’s music often reflects themes of isolation and homeless wandering, rather than any sense of religious identity.