Yom Kippoer 1942: Première

On Saturday night, the Grote Kerk in Meppel hosted a concert that left a strong impression on all who attended. The centerpiece of the evening was Yom Kippoer 1942, The Last Prayer, a composition by Zoran Rosendahl, who also conducted the performance. The concert was organized as a tribute to the late Nico Sieffers, the former conductor who had commissioned the piece, and it served as both a historical reflection and a celebration of Sieffers’ legacy.

A Reflective and Poignant Composition

Rosendahl’s music aimed to capture the tension and sorrow of the Jewish deportations in 1942, and it succeeded in conveying the weight of that dark time. The concert began with Kol Nidre, the traditional Jewish prayer recited on Yom Kippur, sung by tenor Erik Slik. His clear, somber voice set a tone of solemn reflection, and the impact of the moment was heightened by a sudden percussive sound—a symbolic reference to Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass in 1938, foreshadowing the events of 1942.

Throughout the concert, the narrative was interwoven with historical readings by Job Cohen, former Mayor of Amsterdam. These segments provided context for Rosendahl’s music, which moved through moments of quiet sorrow and gentle hope, capturing the struggle and spirit of a community in the face of persecution. Rosendahl’s composition was both accessible and moving, with melodic themes that spoke to the Jewish experience of faith, loss, and resilience.

Rosendahl’s Skillful Conducting and Musical Performance

As conductor, Rosendahl led the Symphonic Wind Orchestra Nedersaksen with clear and confident direction, guiding the ensemble through the varied emotions of the piece. The orchestra responded to his cues with sensitivity, balancing intense and reflective passages with care. The brass and woodwinds, in particular, played a crucial role in creating the mood, alternating between dark, unsettling harmonies and more hopeful, uplifting sections.

The Viva La Musica youth choir, directed by Ceciel van der Zee, delivered a notable performance, their voices shining with clarity during the more hopeful sections of the concert. Their rendition of the traditional Adon Olam was a standout moment, providing a pure and poignant counterpoint to the darker parts of the piece.

Musical Moments That Stood Out

Among the evening’s highlights was a violin solo by Eva Lucia, performed from the organ balcony. Her playing of Zu Eins, Zwei, Drei was filled with emotion and precision, capturing the audience’s attention with its haunting quality. Erik Slik’s solos also stood out, particularly his performance of the prayer of Jonah, which brought the concert’s themes of repentance and forgiveness to life.

The concluding moments of the concert were particularly impactful. As the orchestra built to its final notes, the mood shifted from a somber reflection on history to a sense of cautious hope. The children’s choir joined the orchestra in a final, clear refrain, signaling resilience in the face of darkness. Karst Sieffers’ final blast on the shofar, the traditional ram’s horn, mirrored the opening of the concert and brought the evening to a thoughtful close.

A Well-Executed Tribute to Nico Sieffers’ Legacy

The audience’s applause at the end was long and heartfelt. Rosendahl’s composition, while not overly complex, managed to strike the right balance between history and emotion. It succeeded in fulfilling the vision of Nico Sieffers, who had wanted the events of October 1942 to be remembered not just as a historical tragedy, but as a part of a larger story about faith and endurance.

Overall, the concert was a respectful and fitting tribute to Sieffers. Rosendahl’s conducting brought out the best in the orchestra and choir, creating an evening that was both touching and thought-provoking. The performance in the Grote Kerk was a reminder of how music can connect us to history, not through grand gestures, but through quiet, reflective moments that resonate long after the final note has faded.

Photo: Leo de Harder

Photo: Leo de Harder

Photo: Willemijn Sieffers (Willomino)