On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Chicago Sinai Congregation hosted an exceptional concert dedicated to the vocal music of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Klaus Georg, the Synagogue’s High Holy Days Music Director and Lecturer in Music at Loyola University Chicago, conceived a wide-ranging program of rarely performed works.
The first half of the concert was devoted to art songs that Mario composed early in his career, while still in Italy. After the intermission, the program shifted to works that reflect the composer’s Jewish heritage, including his Memorial Service and L’cha dodi.
An excellent ensemble of musicians — Klaus Georg, tenor; Susan Nelson, soprano; Stephen Buzard, pianist and organist; Marianna Kulikova, alto; Brian Skoog, tenor; and Christopher Filipowicz, bass — filled the space with deeply expressive music, while Georg’s remarks provided the audience with important historical and musical context. Georg has an in-depth knowledge of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s vocal music, having written his doctoral dissertation on the subject and personally consulted primary sources.
Congratulations to all, and heartfelt thanks to Chicago Sinai for its commitment to celebrating the music of Jewish composers.
Photo: The musicians with Diana Castelnuovo-Tedesco.