11 August 2017

A special fundraising concert to mark 115 years of Liberal Judaism will be held at The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (LJS), St John’s Wood, on November 23.

It will feature renowned pianist
 David Dolan and his guests, critically acclaimed flautist Abigail Dolan (pictured above with David) and cellist and conductor Thomas Carroll.

Praised for his classical improvisation, David Dolan has performed at major venues and festivals all over the world and made live recordings for radio and TV.

Away from the stage, David is a researcher and educator who devotes an important part of his career to the revival of the art of classical improvisation. He was praised by Yehudi Menuhin for “giving new life to classical music”.

Described by The Strad Magazine as a player of “authority, passion, full of colour and underpinned by a clear musical intelligence”, Welsh cellist Thomas Carroll launched his career when he won both Young Concert Artists Trust and Young Concert Artists, New York. Since then he has performed in leading concert venues and appeared as concerto soloist with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Orchestras and London Philharmonic.

Praised for her imaginative performances, Abigail Dolan’s career combines solo and chamber music performances worldwide. She also takes a leading role in the innovative Symphonova Orchestra.

Born in Israel, David and Abigail are proud Liberal Jews and active members of Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS). They are particularly passionate about the plight of non-Orthodox Jews in Israel, and joined our movement after being attracted by “the warmth with which we were welcomed and the openness for new thinking about Judaism.”

Entitled Beyond Text: Interpretation as Meaning, the concert programme will present well-known repertoire with a personal twist, including classical improvisations inspired by the masterpieces performed; and multiple performances of Debussy’s much-beloved Syrinx.

We encourage all Liberal Jews to celebrate our movement by attending this event. We are also looking for sponsors and items for a silent auction.

For more information, to buy tickets or offer to help in other ways, please email Tom Rich on t.rich@liberaljudaism.org