rachel joselson, soprano

 2018

Rachel Joselson and Réne Lecuona's Songs of the Holocaust presentation is a testament to the human spirit and it's profound creative ability in the face of utter despair. Ms. Joselson's approach to the songs is heartfelt and beautifully interpreted.  Clearly organic to her strong technique, the scope of vocal colors, dynamic variability and clarity of language are impressive. Allied with Réne Lecuona's sensitive and informed pianistic approach, the pair offer the listener a stunning approach to these important pieces.

--Todd Fitzpatrick, D.M.A., UNLV



2017
An important succession of performances are currently being delivered around the country by Drs. Rachel Joselson, soprano, and accompanist Réne Lecuona.  Songs of the Holocaust is a Gesamtkunstwerk. The concert effectively alternates briefly-spoken, framing information on the selected poets and composers with songs created during the reign of Nazi terror. Simultaneously, artwork --most related to the atrocities of concentration camp survival and the mechanized extermination of human life-- is projected on screen. The artwork is all the more effective because it is the product of victims and their relatives. Faithful translations of the German and Yiddish lyrics by Dr. Joselson, are supplied to the audience as well. 

Ironically, the German Art Song genre (brought to its highest form in the works of Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, Brahms, etc. and culminated with Richard Strauss) languished and effectively died during the same period in which the ill-fated producers of the twenty presented songs composed. Nonetheless, those songs gathered by Dr. Joselson are not also-ran art made worthy of presentation merely because they were created by artists drowned in the maelstrom of the Third Reich. They are true works of art elevated by the circumstances of their writing and the astonishing revelation that even in the "valley of the shadow of death" the human soul and spirit are compelled to "make a joyful noise." Indeed, counter to expectation of unremitting lamentation, many of the songs are lighthearted, celebrating life, love, and --in several lullabies --the universal longing of life to preserve itself. 

In truth, the songs selected are little gemstones, fashioned into valuable jewels by the clarity of Dr. Joselson's phrasing and authentic diction, the multifaceted colors her vocal mastery supplies and by the attentive, ever-supportive accompaniment of Dr. Lecuona.

While both artists are clearly capable of bravura performance, they limit their dynamics and shadings in keeping with the form and the material.   If you are lucky enough to live near where Drs. Joselson and Lecuona will be performing, do yourself a favor and attend this special concert. You can learn a wealth of information on the highly-accomplished vocalist at www.racheljoselson.com. If you cannot attend in person, you can avail yourself of the audio portion--supported in this version by cello and violin as well--via Amazon.com, under Songs of the Holocaust, published in CD form by Albany.

--Brent Monahan, DMA.  The Art of Singing and The Singer's Companion. 

Rutgers University, Westminster Choir College, Rider University, Rutgers University        

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you for participating in the memorial ceremony organized by the Department of Public Information on 27 January 2017 in observance of the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Your poignant performance helped us remember and honor those who perished during the Holocaust, as well as those who survived this tragedy. On a day dedicated to remembering the Holocaust and affirming the dignity and worth of all people, your performance was well received and powerful.I am pleased to inform you that the response to this year's ceremony from the audience and our partners has been exceptional.Thank you for being with us to mark this special occasion.

--Maher Nasser, Director of Outreach Division, Dept. of Public Information, United Nations, NY
 
 

It was truly a pleasure to share your beautiful presentation with Anshe Emeth. Your voice and expression, together with Rene's sensitive playing, brought these songs to life, and together with the visual images created a heart-rending portrait of a people that was so very close to annihilation yet held out and held out and held out.  At the end of the day, they wanted nothing more than to live normal lives -- to be with their families and celebrate love and the normal milestones.  But their lives were not normal.  I know all about the power of music to deliver this message. As the survivors die out and are no longer around to tell their stories, music can still tell those stories.  So I wish you all the best in your travels, to continue to tell this story with all of its heartache and nuance.  I did love many of the songs on your program, especially For Ule and Lied zur gute Nacht.  Thank you so much! 

--Cantor Anna West Ott, Anshe Emeth, NewBrunswick, NJ 
 
 

2016
“Songs of the Holocaust” was a deeply moving event for us at Chapman University. Soprano Rachel Joselson delivered a stunning performance in November of 2016. Her collaborator, Rene Lecuona at the piano proved to be the perfect partner. The songs they performed were touching, exciting, sad and at times even fun. Together, this duo brought to life music of depth and beauty. As they performed, “camp art’ was projected behind them. It took us back into this horrible time visually while allowing us to experience the profoundly beautiful sounds these composers left behind. After viewing the composer’s death dates in the program, mostly 1945, one has to wonder, what they would have written had they lived. We are truly fortunate to have had this duo as our guests and look forward to the continued circulation of their excellent work. 

--Rebecca Sherburn, Director of Vocal Studies, Chapman University
 

To call Joselson's performance from her "Songs of the Holocaust" deeply majestic would be an understatement. Accompanied by her equally gifted accompanist, Rene Lecuona, their performance captured in a prayerful way the tragic horror of the Shoah yet was also able, with richness and sensitivity, to honor those who were lost to the world forever.

--David M. Crowe, Presidential Fellow, Chapman University-
Oskar Schindler,The Untold Account of His Life, Wartime Activities, and the True Story Behind the List"
 

Joselson and Lecuona’s performance of “Songs of the Holocaust” at Lawrence University was an excellent display of refined musical artistry and a welcome introduction to an outstanding body of previously neglected literature. Lecuona’s keyboard collaboration was expertly nuanced and colorful and Joselson’s singing vocally secure and beautiful, and interpretively sensitive and compelling.  I look forward to the release of their CD of this wonderful material.

--Ken Bozeman, Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music
Lawrence University Conservatory of Music
 
 

By giving voice to the words left behind by those in the camps, and the music inspired by those words, Rachel Joselson adds a new level of reflection on the human sorrow and loss suffered by the European Jewish community during the Nazi reign of terror. Her performance gives expression to the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks,  “When language aspires to the transcendent and the soul longs to break free of the gravitational pull of the earth, it modulates into song.” 

--Rabbi Ira J. Schiffer, Associate Chaplain,Middlebury College
 
 

Rachel Joselson’s poignant vocal performance of music by Viktor Ullmann and other composers who were incarcerated in Nazi Germany’s concentration camp in Terezin during the Holocaust invites listeners to reflect on the significance of artistic creativity and production to human beings who were forced to live under conditions of extreme inhumanity and who sought to preserve grim courage and dignity and the qualities of civilized life. 

--Marjorie Lamberti, Charles A. DanaProfessor Emerita of History, Middlebury College
 

 
Joselson and Lecuona's "Songs of the Holocaust" proved to be a deeply meaningful and captivating performance; a most unique way of sharing the horror and reality of the memories of the victims of the Shoah:  thank you to the performers for a sincerely moving program of art and music.
Our congregation and visitors were visibly moved, and had an unforgettable experience. Many congregants remarked that this was the most poignant Holocaust Remembrance program they had ever attended. I highly recommend this program and the artists for organizations and institutions looking for a solemn, but special evening of history and shared remembrance of the Shoah.

--Rabbi David Fainsilber, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe
 

Thank you so much for a truly memorable evening, beautiful, touching, wrenching. We are so glad you included us in your tour and so admire your dedication to this project.   

--Martha L. Molnar, Rutland Jewish Center

 

I want to thank you for the wonderful recital you gave to our congregation.  "Music and Art from Theresienstadt" was beautiful and moving, poignant and inspiring all at the same time.  The slide presentation enhanced the vocals and accompaniment. Our congregation was very moved by the program, and there was not a sound during the one hour recital.  At the end, you answered questions and added layers to our understanding of the music and art that refused to submit under the worst possible inhuman circumstances.  You certainly added depth to our commemoration of the Holocaust.  We wish you great success with this project.  We are sure that audiences will appreciate the suffering and bravery of inmates even more after seeing this presentation as we did.  Thank you again.

--Ginny Kunken and Judy Tantleff, Enrichment Committee,  Temple L'Vor V'Dor
 
 

With each track of Songs of the Holocaust, the unparalleled Rachel Joselson brings forth a cry from the heart; hers is a truly authentic commemoration, at turns devastating and inspiring. The collection of songs from Terezin represents a repertoire not often experienced, yet worthy of all ears that would hear and souls that would meditate. Partnered with the masterful interpretations of pianist Rene Lecuona, Ms. Joselson's voice provides a remarkably moving lens through which to engage in this unexpected corner of music literature. Through “Songs of the Holocaust”,  Joselson and Lecuona give voice to the voiceless. 

--Adam Roberts, Austin Jewish Community Center, artistic director, vocal coach, and conductor based in Austin, Texas