A group of Polish Jews, during World War II, is herded onto trains bound for the concentration camps, but instead, quite by chance, they board a train full of circus performers on tour to entertain the Nazis. What happens to them is the subject of Nathan Englander’s penetrating short story, “The Tumblers”. It is set in an atmosphere where fateful decisions about life or death are made in an instant, by a nod of the head or a toss of a coin. With the story as a springboard, Acrobats for flute and guitar begins in this atmosphere, bringing to musical life its final moments, when the reluctant, disheveled performers are about to go on stage, barely having a clue of what it is they are supposed to do, but knowing that their lives depend on it.Acrobats is one of four pieces on the Music of David Leisner concert coming up on Thursday, February 23, 7:30 pm at the Thalia Theater of Symphony Space. A stellar cast of performers will be on hand to bring the music to life.
Was really surprised when I received a CD of the piece (yes, it’s been around for a few years, that was the format of the day). Lovely to hear his musical interpretation of the story and to know it’s being performed again.
