Binyumen Schaechter speaks about Blessings of Beauty: A Classic Collection of Judaic Gems
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Binyumen Schaechter (a.k.a. Ben)--the remarkable pianist, conductor, composer and arranger--took time from his extraordinarily busy schedule to listen to Blessings of Beauty: A Classic Collection of Judaic Gems by Kurt Weill, Salamone Rossi, Morton Gould, Billy Joel, David Amram and more... which continues to receive international acclaim since its release. He generously shared his thoughts yesterday, following a complete surprise listening of the recording--for which we are so appreciative:
"Today I heard your CD and it sounds terrific! The flutist, Amy Ziegelbaum, has a beautiful sound and technique, and you have an equally excellent technique, with a wonderful arranger's ear, providing fresh approaches harmonically and often melodically, making each piece sound quite unlike the versions of the respective pieces as we've heard them before. It's high level, beginning to end. Yasher-koyekh!"
Binyumen (Ben) is the Executive Producer, Musical Director and Arranger for the acclaimed film When Bubbas and Zeydas Were Young: The Schaechter Sisters on Stage, which will have its New York premiere on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the Center for Jewish History. The film, selected for both the Miami Jewish Film Festival and Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival, was directed by Academy Award-nominated director Josh Waletsky, best known for Partisans of Vilna and Image Before Our Eyes. (For more information about the film and its premiere, please visit www.yiddishsisters.com)
Binyumen's accolades include many acclaimed Off-Broadway revues, including Naked Boys Singing, the 4th longest running show in Off-Broadway history--as well as Double Identity, and That's Life (Outer Critics Circle nomination). Binyumen is also the Conductor of the celebrated four-generation Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus.
"Today I heard your CD and it sounds terrific! The flutist, Amy Ziegelbaum, has a beautiful sound and technique, and you have an equally excellent technique, with a wonderful arranger's ear, providing fresh approaches harmonically and often melodically, making each piece sound quite unlike the versions of the respective pieces as we've heard them before. It's high level, beginning to end. Yasher-koyekh!"
Binyumen (Ben) is the Executive Producer, Musical Director and Arranger for the acclaimed film When Bubbas and Zeydas Were Young: The Schaechter Sisters on Stage, which will have its New York premiere on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the Center for Jewish History. The film, selected for both the Miami Jewish Film Festival and Montreal International Yiddish Theatre Festival, was directed by Academy Award-nominated director Josh Waletsky, best known for Partisans of Vilna and Image Before Our Eyes. (For more information about the film and its premiere, please visit www.yiddishsisters.com)
Binyumen's accolades include many acclaimed Off-Broadway revues, including Naked Boys Singing, the 4th longest running show in Off-Broadway history--as well as Double Identity, and That's Life (Outer Critics Circle nomination). Binyumen is also the Conductor of the celebrated four-generation Jewish People's Philharmonic Chorus.