Tur Malka

Transposing the rich musical traditions of the old world into the new, Tur Malka, a new song cycle based on 20th Century Yiddish poetry, is the newest project from award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer, Henri Oppenheim. Illuminating 15 poems from seven extraordinary Yiddish writers, all of whom began their new lives in Montreal, Tur Malka is an inspiring musical journey merging past and present. Oppenheim is the founder and director of the internationally-acclaimed Klezmer ensemble Magillah.

Conceived in 2011, this project is a musical setting of works by leading figures of Canadian Yiddish literature : Jacob Isaac Segal, Chava Rosenfarb, Rokhl Korn, Melekh Ravitch, Ida Maze, A.M. Klein, N.I. Gotlib. Supported by contemporary Yiddish experts including Pierre Anctil, Rivka Augenfeld and Goldie Morgentaler, this project aims to revive an important period of Yiddish culture in Canada. Oppenheim’s poignant melodic tunes reveal a range of styles from folk ballads to electro-infused popular songs.

The Poems speak of simple things and wonderments, of love and of care: the challenge of loving in a world of mistrust, a vision of purity in a corrupted world, love for children, the moments of anticipation of a loving encounter, the pleasures of a local park, the powerful and fearsome industry of the booming urban environment – the elements forming the personal and civic landscape of the new home of the Jewish refugees of 20th century Montreal.
This project involves the following team :

Karen Young : Guest lead singer

Henri Oppenheim : Composition, accordion, guitar, singer
Michael Emenau : Laptop, vibraphone, percussion, bass
Vanessa Marcoux : Violin, mandolin

Learn more :
facebook.com/magillah
www.magillah.com