Cooperation

Since 2017, the Society of Friends of Ensemble Modern e.V. and the Society of Friends and Patrons of the Jewish Museum Frankfurt have been presenting chamber music concerts featuring works by Jewish composers. The concert series was initiated by Andreas von Schoeler, then Chair of the Society of Friends and Patrons and former Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt. To date, works by numerous composers who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi era have been performed, including those by Gideon Klein, Hans Krása, Erwin Schulhoff and Viktor Ullmann. By presenting works of living composers such as Talia Amar (b. 1989), Amit Gilutz (b. 1983), and Dana Barak (b. 1987), the series repeatedly builds a bridge to contemporary reflections on Jewish identity and musical language. Since 2024, the concerts have been moderated by pupils from the ›Spurensuche‹ (Tracing History) study group at Frankfurt’s Wöhlerschule. In preparation, they research the composers’ biographies, exchange ideas with the musicians, and guide the audience through the evening. Teacher Dorothée Guillemare emphasises: »Engaging with the composers’ biographies proved both fascinating and deeply impressive. The experience was extremely rewarding for us.« Student Lukas Schäuble adds: »The experience of letting the diversity of the music unfold, conducting inspiring interviews and witnessing a concert we planned ourselves is an experience we would highly recommend.« The next concert is scheduled for 20 June 2026 at the Museum Judengasse.