The Zemel Choir in Berlin (The Jewish Daily Forward, December 21st 2011):

'The Rykestrasse Synagogue escaped Kristallnacht with minimal damage to the building. During the Second World War, the Nazis used the building for storage. The neo-Romanesque building, located in an elegant courtyard, was restored in 2007 and is to this day a conservative synagogue, though its 1,000 plus seats are mostly empty...It was, thus, a delight to see the sanctuary filled for the concert, which included works by Lewandowski and his contemporaries, including Salomon Sulzer, Abraham Ber Birnbaum, Samuel Naumbourg and Eduard Birnbaum.

The best-prepared choirs were able to surmount the acoustical limitations of the building. Among these were the Zemel Choir of London, the Zamir Chorale of Boston and the Polyphonies Hébraïques de Strasbourg...'

For further press coverage of the Zemel Choir's musical activities (including coverage of recent events at St John's, Smith Square, Belsize Square Synagogue and on tour in Israel), please visit the relevant part of the Zemel Choir's website here.

The Etz Chayim Cello Concerto:

This recent cello concerto has received reviews in Jewish Renaissance Magazine and the Journal of the Association of Jewish Refugees. It has been described as 'a fitting and enduring commemoration of [Belsize Square Synagogue's] achievements, celebrating both its rich past and future promise', and also as a 'modern masterpiece'. You can download the two reviews here:

'Commissioned by the Rabbi', Malcolm Miller, Jewish Renaissance Magazine, April 2009

'A Heart-Warming Experience', David Maier, AJR Journal July 2009