Zamir Chorale of Boston: Press Comments

"versatility and polished cadences..."
-Hadassah Magazine, 2000

"Their concerts constitute a voyage through time and space that reflects a widely dispersed people's widely diverse modes of musical expression. ... Joshua Jacobson ...throughout the evening offered a running and often witty commentary on the program ...beautifully wrought arrangements of popular and folk material, wrapping traditional and sometimes just "pop" melodies into fitting new garbs, at times sumptuously elegant, at times soberly discreet and always in good taste. ...Jacobson and his singers never lost their touch of elegance and good taste...Many essential bases were covered in this extensive trip through four centuries and two continents, on the wings of the Zamir's soaring songbirds, under the learned guidance of Joshua Jacobson and with the inestimable assistance of Edwin Swanborn's keyboard accompaniment."
-Simon Wainrib, The Berkshire Record
November 8-14, 1996

"The chorale came in gently..., proving the evening's most introspective lovely moment,"
-Elijah Wald, The Boston Globe
October 27, 1996

"HEAR OUR VOICES. The 50-voice Zamir Chorale creates a haunting homage in these 29 songs from the ghettos and camps. Producer-conductor Joshua Jacobsons's narrative introductions render this CD valuable for Holocaust studies and commemorations."
-D.L. Sprargren, Hadassah Magazine
June/July 1996

"The internationally known Zamir Chorale of Boston brought its beautiful singing style to Worcester last night...Jacobson led polished performances that emphasized clarity and balance. And the chorale's professionalism was everywhere evident, particularly in its unflagging attention to detail. ...The group showed remarkable versatility as it moved effortlessly across a myriad of musical styles. ...Of course, the chorale specializes in Jewish music, contemporary and traditional. Its renditions of these works had a real stamp of authority. ...The audience was able to experience the soft, velvety tone that is its hallmark."
-Kevin Gabriel, Worcester Telegram and Gazette,
March 25, 1996

"As to the performance itself, fastidious preparation was manifest in every detail. ...There was nothing about the performance that was not sonorous, incisive, assured."
-Richard Buell, The Boston Globe
April 18, 1994

"Over the years the [Zamir] Chorale has achieved an impressive artistic standard."
-Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe
April 15, 1994

"Under the direction of the accomplished and creative musicianship of Joshua Jacobson, the Zamir Chorale delivers with accuracy and taste diverse programs which range through traditionals and folksongs to lengthy and complex pieces. The meticulous preparation and natural talent of the Chorale show in the results which uniformly please both the ear and the mind."
-Bernard Hyatt, The Jewish Advocate
April 8, 1994

"Listen to the Zamir Chorale of Boston, a remarkable group!"
-Karl Haas, Adventures in Good Listening
September 29, 1989

"The [Zamir Chorale of Boston has] a professional sound; their breathing, their precision, their musical phrasing, their diction, their rich dynamics - all were extraordinary. ...They displayed such warmth and love of our country; the audience couldn't help but feel their love and return in kind."
-Levi Sha'ar, Chadashot HaTsafon (Israel)
August 12, 1988

"The two other [choirs], the Zamir Chorale of Boston, directed by Joshua Jacobson and the Zamir Chorale of New York, directed by Matthew Lazar, reached a higher level, and achieved significant success with a complex repertoire."
-Oded Asaf, Ha'Ir (Tel Aviv)
August 12, 1988

"Easily the most refined choral singing I have heard on behalf of Jewish music ...remarkable sensitivity to basic musical needs-dynamic control, intelligent phrasing, effective articulation of the text."
-Monroe Levin, The [Philadelphia]
Jewish Exponent, Feb. 26, 1988

"The Zamir Chorale of Boston's performance was stylish, disciplined and visually elegant, giving their singing a dramatic polish which was lacking in the other groups, and thus captured first place with a choral performance that was a comprehensive artistic-musical experience."
-Chagit Gal-ed, HaDoar
Feb 12, 1988

"The Zamir Chorale of Boston made a good impression under the excellent direction of Joshua Jacobson. They performed works of Matityahu Shelem, arranged by Gil Aldema, and [Robert] Starer's Psalms, a powerful work. The choir is well disciplined, and makes the music come alive with its conductor."
-Hannah Levi, HaDoar (New York)
March 6, 1987

"The Zamir Chorale of Boston attained that height ...and performed with excellence. ... the ensemble attacked with vigor and spark. ...the capacity audience loved it all."
-Arthur Hepner, The Boston Globe
June 3, 1986

"Zamir's inspired, crisp performance provides a well-deserved tribute to a much-ignored body of work along with a celebration of music that is truly glorious."
-Ed Symkus, The Tab
December 3, 1985

"Jacobson's 39-voice chorus and 33-piece orchestra demonstrated a high level of commitment and competence."
-Derrick Henry, The Boston Globe
December 11, 1984

"Last night's admirable and acutely pleasurable presentation."
-Paul Driver, The Boston Globe
November 8. 1983

"...the Zamir Chorale of Boston's acute presentation of Ben-Haim's challenging settings under Joshua Jacobson's direction."
-Ed Rothstein, The New York Times
May 31, 1983

"The Zamir Chorale of Boston is a young zippy virtuoso outfit that has dedicated itself to the performance of music - all kinds of music - that comes out of the Jewish culture. ...The basic sound of the chorus is bright and clean and pliant; the singing is always rhythmically alert. ..."
-Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe
May 4, 1976