Thuringia Philharmonic Gotha-Eisenach – Achava Festival 2025
photo: Bernd Seydel
Magic of the Shofar – Achava Festival 2025
After its premiere at the Berlin Philharmonie, Amir Shpilman’s Kriat Shema – Fantasy for Shofar and Orchestra found a new stage in Thuringia. On September 18, 2025, the Thuringia Philharmonic Gotha-Eisenach presented the concert “Magic of the Shofar” as part of the Achava Festival Thuringia. The evening combined tradition, ritual, and symphonic innovation, with Shpilman’s Kriat Shema – Fantasy for Shofar and Orchestra opening the program.
The concert opened with Shpilman’s work, a bold encounter between the primal voice of the shofar and the symphonic forces of the orchestra. Conducted by Markus Huber and featuring Bar Zemach as shofar soloist, the performance set the tone for an evening that bridged ancient sound and modern orchestral color.
The program continued with Reinhold Glière’s Horn Concerto in B-flat major, performed by Rita Huber, before concluding with Dmitri Shostakovich’s expansive Symphony No. 6 in B minor. The balance of contemporary creation and established repertoire framed Shpilman’s premiere as both radical and rooted.
photo: Bernd Seydel
ZSCORE.studio provided the full orchestral materials for Shpilman’s Kriat Shema – from conductor’s score to individual parts – ensuring precision and clarity across this complex performance.
The Achava Festival once again positioned itself as a forum for cultural dialogue, with Magic of the Shofar embodying its mission: amplifying diverse voices and honoring both heritage and innovation in music.
Source: Thuringia Philharmonic Gotha-Eisenach, Magic of the Shofar , published on September 19, 2025. Photos: Bernd Seydel.
Article Information
- Published
- September 18, 2025
- Category
- Performance
- Tags
- AnnouncementAmir ShpilmanBar ZamachShofar
