United Kingdom Music in Exile: ARC Ensemble (of Toronto), Michael Hass (guest lecturer). Wigmore Hall, London, 1.2.2026. (AK)
The timing of this concert was perfect, whether by accident or design. The Holocaust Memorial Day (27th January each year) was extended by a few days in London and possibly elsewhere. I attended several memorial events, the last one on 30th January. At all these memorials we mourned the tragic loss of the murdered millions. This ‘Music in Exile’ day of concerts investigated another aspect of the Holocaust: the life affirming work of composers who managed to flee the Nazis and continued with their artistic creativity.
The excellent ARC Ensemble presented three concerts during their one-day residency: morning, afternoon and evening plus a pre-concert talk early evening.
The number of composers whose works appeared during the three concerts and the talk was around fifteen or slightly more. Most, if not all, are largely unknown and all deserve to be heard.
Michael Haas gave an excellent pre-concert talk: it was richly informative with spoken text, images and several short music examples. Haas’s talk did not tackle those composers whose pieces were performed during the three concerts. However, he gave a solid historical background from 1867 and introduced us to Austro-German exiled musicians who appear in his book ‘Music in Exile’. Haas’s chart showing countries where persecuted musicians fled was fascinating: I noted twenty countries plus more, spread all over the globe.
Those who attended all three concerts and the talk would have left at the end of the day with considerable new-gained knowledge. The compiler of the day’s events, Simon Wynberg, ensured high quality as well as variety.
I had to miss the morning and afternoon concerts but was fortunate to attend Michael Haas’s talk and the evening concert.
As the composers and their works presented at the evening concert are likely to be unknown to most people, I am showing the programme with all details on hand.
ARC Ensemble: Erika Raum, Marie Bérard (violins), Steven Dann (viola), Thomas Wiebe (cello), Joaquin Valdepeñas (clarinet) and Kevin Ahfat (piano, celeste)
Ernest Kanitz (1894-1978) – String Quartet in D (1945): I. Elegy II. Rondino III. Old Viennese Tune and Variations IV. Finale
Robert Müller-Hartmann (1884-1950) – 3 Intermezzi and Scherzo for piano, Op.22
Frederick Block (1899-1945) – Piano Trio No.2, Op.26 (1930): I. Andante II. Vivace III. Adagio IV. Vivace; Suite for clarinet and piano Op.73 (1944): I. Spanish Prelude. Vivace II. Pastoral. Andante III. Gaiety. Allegretto vivo IV. Orientale. Andante V. Fugue. Allegro
Jerzy Fitelberg (1903-1951) – Nachtmusik, Op.9 ‘Fisches Nachtgesang’ for clarinet, cello and celesta (1921)
Szymon Laks (1901-1983) – Piano Quintet on Popular Polish Themes (1967): I. Allegro quasi presto II. Lento sostenuto III. Vivace non troppo IV. Allegro moderato ma deciso
As seen, the variety of instrumentation was of significance and so was the exemplary playing of all performers. They presented an exceptionally high-quality concert of compositions which contained much variety, soul, virtuosity, humour, looking back to the old country and – first and foremost – beauty and pleasure.
I was privileged to hear this concert.
Agnes Kory
Featured Image: All six members of ARC Ensemble post-concert at the Wigmore Hall