The last time that Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE), the revered and historic Hasell Street synagogue founded in 1749 staged the works of acclaimed composer Ernest Bloch was 45 years ago. That 1980 performance marked what would have been his 100th birthday. And people still talk about that concert today.
“It was just unforgettable,” said Bates O’Neal, KKBE’s artistic and music director. “Bloch’s work represents not only the height of musical drama in general, but also includes one of the most powerful and sacred pieces of Jewish sacred music: Avodath Hakodesh, or ‘Sacred service,’ in the Hebrew.”
So when it came time to mark another milestone — the synagogue’s 275th birthday — Bates couldn’t think of a better way to honor the occasion than with a return to Bloch’s masterpiece. On April 24, KKBE, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the Taylor Festival Choir will join forces and voices onstage at the Gaillard Center to do just that.
This event is not just for classical music enthusiasts or members of the Jewish community, though. It’s a celebration of the universal power of music to uplift and inspire. With more than 120 renowned musicians on the Gaillard stage, it’s also an opportunity to witness masterful artistry through a presentation of works that demand performances of the highest caliber.
As the final chapter in more than a year of the congregation’s 275th anniversary festivities, the concert serves as a testament to KKBE’s enduring legacy and commitment to cultural and spiritual enrichment. Its music program has historically enjoyed an extensive reach. Which is why, when O’Neal finally put the pieces together to stage this production and approached the Charleston Symphony Orchestra about collaborating, CSO didn’t hesitate, he said.
“I knew we wanted CSO. I just wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to make the budget work,” O’Neal said. “But not only did they say ‘yes’ immediately, they also offered to perform for free!”
Along with CSO, the performance will include members of the Taylor Festival Choir, a Charleston-based elite chamber choir known for its emphasis on 20th and 21st century music and on Celtic folk music. The three groups embody a scope of liturgical traditions and stylings that promise to elevate an already vaulted musical lineup.
Below is the full performance program, along with a bit of insight into some of the themes — Jewish, spiritual and more — as shared with the Charleston City Paper by O’Neal.
“Passover Psalm”, Op. 30 – Erich Wolfgang Korngold. “Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s ‘Passover Psalm’ is a lush and evocative setting of prayers interpreted from the Passover Haggadah. With our performance falling just days after the end of Passover, this piece reflects the Jewish people’s journey of liberation infused with an expressive and cinematic quality that connects us with our deep cultural history. Korngold, renowned for his sweeping film scores and symphonic works, wrote only two rarely performed sacred works, and we are proud to bring this amazing work to the Charleston audience.”
“Let My Love Be Heard” — Jake Runestad (the only non-Jewish composer on the program). “A pluralistic prayer reflecting on love and loss, Jake Runestad’s ‘Let My Love Be Heard’ is a moving unaccompanied choral piece offering a deeply emotional moment of healing and contemplation. Its universal message of resilience through grief provides solace and strength, reminding us of the restorative power of music.”
“Adagietto” from Symphony No. 5 – Gustav Mahler. “The Adagietto movement from Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 is one of classical music’s most cherished and breathtaking movements. This orchestral masterpiece represents culture in its highest form. A Jewish composer by birth, Mahler’s ability to weave deep emotions into his music speaks to the rich cultural heritage that binds us all together through artistic expression.”
“Make Our Garden Grow” from Candide – Leonard Bernstein. “The incomparable choral finale from Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide, ‘Make Our Garden Grow’ inspires us to build a better future together. Bernstein’s music conveys the message that through dedication and unity, we can cultivate a more compassionate and enriched community, which embodies the Jewish ideal of tikkun olam, repairing the world.”
Avodath Hakodesh – Ernest Bloch. “At the heart of this program is Bloch’s Avodath Hakodesh, a masterwork of 20th century choral-orchestral literature. Composed to the Shabbat morning liturgy, this piece is a stunning blend of rich orchestration, deeply expressive choral writing and incomparable drama in the Jewish musical canon. The universality of Bloch’s music places Jewish music next to the sacred masterworks of other traditions while still beautifully capturing the solemnity and reverence of the Jewish liturgy.”
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