Gersuite – A Concert by Marcin Masecki and Ger Mandolin Orchestra in New York City

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Ashkenaz Foundation are proud to present the Ger Mandolin Orchestra in concert in New York City. This international string supergroup will perform alongside renowned Polish pianist and composer Marcin Masecki, featuring the Ger Suite, co-commissioned by Ashkenaz and POLIN. The event is part of the New York City Jewish Book Festival at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

• December 8, 6PM, REGISTER →
• Venue: Museum of Jewish Heritage, Edmond J. Safra Hall
• Admission to the Festival is free with registration, and seats for the concert are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Conceived by Israeli-American Avner Yonai and directed by renowned multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall, the Ger Mandolin Orchestra resurrects a little-known musical form that was once-widely popular across eastern Europe and in North American immigrant communities. The group brings to life a unique repertoire of Jewish, East European folk and light classical music, using the complete range of mandolin family instruments (mandolin, mandola, octave mandolin, mandocello, mandobass). Their rare and moving concert appearances over the last dozen years have been met with overwhelming audience and critical acclaim.

Now, in its first foray into "new" music, the Orchestra will premiere repertoire from one of Poland’s most prolific and idiosyncratic artists. Pianist/composer Marcin Masecki is known for his virtuosic fusion of styles spanning jazz, classical, and folk, blurring the line between high art and popular entertainment. "Gersuita" is a 6-part cycle of compositions created by Masecki specifically for the Ger Mandolin Orchestra.

In its full version, the piece was first presented in Toronto in March 2024, during an extraordinary concert at the Glenn Gould Studio. This new chapter in the history of what seemed to be a forgotten art form, the mandolin orchestra, was rewarded with a nearly 10-minute standing ovation from the audience.

Partners:

The GER in NYC project was co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage under the Inspiring Culture programme.

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