Welcome to the
SIMCHA Jewish Youth Theater website!
The
'SIMCHA' ('Joy' in Hebrew) Theater was started by Elizaveta Khaskina in 1991
with the purpose of reviving and developing the Jewish musical culture in a new
independent state, the Republic of Belarus. Over the years of its existence, the
group has gained popularity both in Belarus and abroad. According to music
critics, it is considered to be one of the best youth groups in Belarus.
Geraldine Auerbach, director of the Jewish Music
Institute of Great Britain and David Stone, the Institutes consultant, who
attended the theaters concert in Brussels, are of the opinion that 'Simcha' is
worthy of international exposure for the quality of their music making, range,
presentation and unique arrangements.
"Simcha" bears the title of the Model Theater which was conferred upon the group
by the Ministry of culture of Belarus due to its program and highly professional
standard of performing. The "Simcha" theater is the first prize winner of the
International Song and Dance Festival (Moscow, 1992), International Festivals of
Jewish Music (Moscow, 2000 and 2003) as well as of the most prestigious
festivals in Belarus over the years of its existence. The group also took part
in the Tenth World
Festival of Jewish Music in London (July, 2000), whereupon it was
unanimously acknowledged as one of the most professional performing groups. In
November 2003 Simcha became the 3rd prize winner at the
1st
International Festival "Golden Hanukkiya" arranged by the European Bureau of
the World Congress of Russian Jewry.
The Russian, Finnish, Swedish and Belarusian TV and radio have prepared a number
of programs based on the theaters performances. SIMCHA gives many concerts
before Holocaust survivors as well as people suffering from the aftermath
effects of the Chernobyl disaster.
There are 24 participants aged 12-25 in the theater, of which fourteen are the
choir singers (all of whom study at school with advanced learning of music or at
various universities) and ten are a fully professional instrumental group. The
latter called MINSKER KAPELYE
(under the leadership of Dmitri Slepovitch)
is a klezmer band in the Yiddish part of the 'Simcha' performance.
The orchestra comprises the following instruments: 2 flutes, clarinet,
percussion (xylophone, bongos, drum, etc.), piano, cymbalom (tsimbl), 2 violins,
viola, cello and contrabass. All the instrument players are students and
post-graduate students of the Belarusian State
Academy of Music and Moscow State
Conservatoire. The orchestra is led by
Dmitri Slepovitch, Ph.D. (ethnomusicology), ensemble's clarinetist and
composer.
The Simchas repertoire includes about 100 songs and musical pieces of Jewish
sacred and secular music in Yiddish and Hebrew. The ensemble also performs
classical music by L. Bernstein, A. Krein, S. Rakhmaninov, M. Bruch and others.
Every piece is sung by the choir and soloists in four to eight parts accompanied
by the instrumental group and a capella. As for the Yiddish traditional music,
it is performed with elements of gentle choreography and dramatization. In
addition the group performs Russian, Belarusian, German, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish
and English folk songs.
The "Simcha" musical theater released its first CD in 1997 in Sweden. It was
followed by another one in 1998. The third one, "The Songs of Sorrow and Joy",
was recorded and issued in June 2001. This CD consists of various piyutim
(hymns), Yiddish and Hebrew songs, as well as several klezmer pieces. In 2003
the group released its 4th CD "Shine Brightly, Little Star" comprising Russian
and Belarusian songs.
Performances of Jewish music by "Simcha" have enthralled, moved and excited
audiences in their home country and across Europe (Finland, Sweden, Poland,
Germany, Belgium, Holland and Great Britain). Their beautiful costumes and
unique arrangements made by Dmitri Slepovitch and Elizaveta Khaskina have
impressed the most sophisticated of listeners.
Quotes from their tours of Sweden and the UK:
'The concert was full of feeling and power, joy and artistic mastery. From the
professional viewpoint, the Simcha ensemble presented singing, music and dancing
at the highest possible standard'.
(Vasterbottens-Kuriren,
Sweden, August 7, 1999)
'The young performers have made the audience feel the soul of the Jewish musical
culture, the klezmer band adding a lot to the complete picture of the music
performed. The concert was not just a choral performance. The lively dancing
prepared by a professional choreographer combined with perfect singing has made
it a real musical treat. The flavor of the Jewish culture that the audience
tasted has indeed been absolutely unique and unforgettable'.
(Norra Vasterbotten, Sweden, August 10,
1999)
'Anyone who missed the performance by the Simcha ensemble from Minsk at
Chatham's School of Music last week lost out on the experience of a life. This
talented group, conducted by Elizaveta Khaskina, which incorporates dance and
orchestral items in its unique programme, charmed a capacity audience'
(Jewish Telegraph, Manchester, Friday, July 21, 2000)
'When it comes to waving the flag for Jewish culture in the former Soviet Union,
there is no more active set of campaigners than the Simcha Jewish Youth Music
Ensemble of Minsk in Belarus.'
(London Jewish News, April 7, 2000)
=============================================================
The "Simcha" Photo Gallery
Simcha Jewish Youth Music
Theater on YouTube: Subscribe to our VIDEO channel
See us on other Internet sites
See the press release about "Simcha"
Visit the site of Dmitri Slepovitch, the "Simcha" orchestra
director
Send us E-mail
Guest book