Chief Rabbi Chaim Eisenberg (vocals), Bishop Michael Bünker (percussion), Abbot Notker Wolf (flute), the Altenburger Sängerknaben directed by Markus Pfandler and on keyboard the one and only Markus Himmelbauer, they together with others gave a sold out Akzent Theater in Vienna on Monday October 21st an unforgettable evening.
It is a particular form of Jewish- Christian dialogue to speak the language of music. With visible pleasure the performers engaged in this task. Understandably, the theme of the evening was: Shalom! Music between friends.
After a successful first attempt had taken place outside the Austrian capital last year, it was decided to organize the fund raising concert this year in Vienna. And rightly so. The concert attracted so many, that, had it been organized, a second evening would have been completely sold out as well.
The program showed not only well known Yiddish songs but also Beatle evergreens. How would you have felt when the Chief Rabbi is singing 'All you need is love', accompanied by the Abbot on flute and the Bishop on percussions? Well, the large audience felt this really was great! They thanked the performers with a long ovation.
And as, after all, this concert was a fund raising event for our Austrian colleagues and friends, we very much hope that the revenues of the evening were as satisfying as the concert has been. Our colleagues in the Austrian 'Koordinierungsausschuß für jüdisch-christliche Zusammenarbeit', Dr. Markus Himmelbauer and Dr Dietlind Pichler have done a great job in organizing this extraordinary event.
Have a look at the excellent website of our Austrian friends: www.christenundjuden.org.and find out all you want to know about their many activities and publications.