ABOVE ALL: musical journey in search for human compassion

Compassion Above All: A Musical Journey Around the World

A fundraiser to produce two major music events in Vancouver:

November 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025.

These events are more than musical performances, they will tap into our common humanity. From the atrocities committed during the Holocaust to today’s ugly face of antisemitism, we will take on an incredible journey through the dark pages of our modern history in search of compassion.

The project is both artistic and educational. It brings to life the true stories from the past into today’s reality. Whether it is the tragic story of the SS Louis ship, or the Tale of Esther, each piece on the program will have strong emotional impact. Through the power of Art the project sends the message: when bringing compassion and humanity to light no matter our religion, race, nationality, whatever our differences – we are all one!

NOVEMBER 10, 2024, To Hope and Back.

Annex Performing Theatre, Vancouver. Two performances: 2 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Performers: Jane Hayes, Anna Levy, pianos, Yaletown string quartet and Jonathan Bernard, percussion.

“To Hope and Back”, is the book that has been introduced into curriculum as part of Holocaust education in BC. Our event will showcase the true story of S S St. Louis, the ill-fated ship which sailed from Germany in 1939 carrying nearly 1000 Jewish refugees. No country, including Canada, would allow the ship to land. It was forced to return to Europe where most of the Jewish passengers on board perished in the Holocaust. As the story in the book is told through the eyes of two children on board of the ship, we are presenting our project with two actors children.

Music by Iman Habibi (Radiant Light), Philip Glass (Four movements for two pianos), Steve Reich (String quartet “Different Trains” with archival recordings of trains going to Auschwitz), and Gheorgi Arnaudov (Hoshanah, Save us, for two pianos and percussion).

MARCH 29, 2025, The Tale of Esther

Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, 7.30 p.m.

Soloist Sepideh Raissadat, voice and setar; Conductor Leslie Dala; Yarilo Music Ensemble; Vancouver Opera Orchestra.

The featured work is Iman Habibi’s “Shāhīn-nāmeh”, Juno nominated, winner of the Azrieli Foundation award for Jewish music, 2022. Based on the astonishing poetry of the 14th-century Judeo-Persian poet Shahin Shirazi, the composition depicts the tale of Esther and delves on the themes of love, spiritual struggle and devotion. Habibi’s work, Shāhīn-nāmeh resonates today in the hearts and minds of Persian and Jewish communities alike. This composition calls out to all of us for love and compassion; it brings the heart of humanity into focus!

Also, on the program Arvo Part (Tabula Raza), Peteris Vasks (The Message) and Kelly-Marie Murphy (En El Escuro Es Todo Uno, In the Darkness we are One)