Belarusian Jewish State Vocal Ensemble

[klezmer]

Jewish State Vocal Ensemble consists of 10 singers, 5 men and 5 women, led by Samuil Polonskiy. The repertoire comprises 200 pieces. The ensemble performs contemporary proletarian compositions (appr. 100), 30–40 pieces of classical music. Having had approached to the heritage, having had won over the contents, themes, and mood alien to our present day, the ensemble presents the works of the classical composers in such form that only their musical beauty is preserved, and at the same time they are acceptable and useful to the proletarian audiences.
Polonskiy used to rearrange instrumental works for his choir, such as Beethoven’s march from the music for drama “Ruins of Athens”. Also Polonskiy recomposes traditional Jewish melodies with new, up-to-date lyrics, for example “My proletarian sister”.
Once there was performed a competition between the Jewish Vocal Ensemble and the balalaika player Strunevskiy in form of playing “The Tartar Lullaby” by Shtatirk. Strunevskiy was acclaimed to be the winner. The Ensemble also used to perform with the cimbalom duo of Zhidovich (later Zhinovich – klezmer) and Shmelkin, xylophonist Yavno, and others. Conducted by L. Bessmertnyi, the Ensemble sang in the Polish Theater on 14 October, 1933.