performance projects
Merlin & Polina Shepherd perform together in a way that is rarely encountered. Playing music from several linked cultures and maintaining the styles, they also incorporate improvisation, freedom and spontaneity. With a unique approach and dynamic, they perform Klezmer, Turkish, Russian, Greek, and Romanian Music and they weave a sound that, so like Music from these countries themselves, moves the listener physically, emotionally and spiritually … read more
Fanfara
With trumpets, saxophones, clarinet, baritones, helicons and percussion Fanfara play brass band music for dancing. They regularly visit and study with Roma musicians from Serbia, Romania and Macedonia and have studied in Cuba with carnival brass musicians. Under the guest direction of Russian virtuoso singer Polina Shepherd, they blend traditional, revolutionary, and dancing songs with fast and soulful brass band music… read more
The Vocal quartet Ashkenazim sing Jewish music a cappella and also perform with ensembles and orchestras. Their repertoire mostly consists of Polina Shepherd’s original compositions for Yiddish poems, folk songs in Yiddish, klezmer music, niggunim (wordless songs). Although modern in its musical principles, the quartet are aiming for a folk sound. A special manner of performing, traditional instrumental styles copied by the voices, form the unique Ashkenazim style. A style which is recognisable from the first few bars. Since their beginning in 2001… read more
