The Semer label, run by a brave Lithuanian bookstore owner called Hirsch Lewin, specialised in recording the remarkable Jewish music scene that existed in Berlin in the 1930s, even after the Nazis came to power – until his shop was smashed, thousands of albums were destroyed, and he was arrested. A successful search for surviving recordings led to the formation of this celebrity band from the US, Germany and eastern Europe, who have revived the music, with new arrangements from pianist Alan Bern and production work from Ben Mandelson. The often dramatic, emotional songs range from klezmer to cabaret and prayer music, and include the pained and thoughtful The World Has Become Small. Originally performed by an actress and cabaret artist who was murdered in Auschwitz, it has echoes of Kurt Weill and is still sadly relevant. An intriguing set – but you need to search online to find the lyrics and history of the songs.
