An excerpt from a work in progress documentary by David Hoffert, about 99 year old Toronto composer and Holocaust survivor Leo Spellman. Spellman s lost composition Rhapsody 1939 1945 was composed 65 years ago in a DP camp in Germany, shortly before he emigrated to Toronto, whereupon the music was stashed away and forgotten. The work has only recently been rediscovered and its Canadian premiere performance will take place on Sept 3, 2012 as part of the Ashkenaz Festival, in the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre. The performance will be conducted by Paul Hoffert and the composer will be in attendance. Spellman is also notable for being the cousin of Vladislaw Szpilman, the character portrayed by Adrian Brody in Roman Polanski s Oscar winning film The Pianist. http://www.ashkenazfestival.com/?portfolio=leo spellman

Adrienne Cooper performs a song from her latest CD Enchanted at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto

The Other Europeans play a fantastic set at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival

The 2010 Festival Finale featuring Frank London, Lorin Sklamberg, Yair Dacal, Mark Rubin, Aaron Alexander and Marilyn Lerner.

The 2010 Festival Finale featuring Frank London, Lorin Sklamberg, Yair Dacal, Mark Rubin, Aaron Alexander and Marilyn Lerner.

Yiddish theatre actor, director and founder of Strasburg s Der LuftTeater, Rafael Goldwaser returned to Toronto on Wednesday September 1st for the 2010 Ashkenaz festival with his newest one man show.

This dynamic tribute to Avrom Sutzkever, the most celebrated and cherished Yiddish Poet of the 20th century, passed away in 2010 and on Tuesday August 31st he was remembered at the Ashkenaz Festival.

Some of Canada s most exciting and virtuosic interpreters of inter cultural music came together to perform as Jaffa Road on Monday September 2nd at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Prague born singer and composer, Lenka Lichtenberg sings beautifully alongside her fantastic fantastic band. Performed on Saturday September 4th 2010 at the Ashkenaz Festival.

A fantastic mix of instruments provided audiences with an upbeat musical performance. Performed on Saturday September 4th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

This group of fourteen Klezmer and Lautari musicians performs a powerful and deeply emotional piece at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

East European Jewish and Ukrainian music comes together for this fantastic multimedia concert program at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival. Performed on Monday September 6th.

The 15th Anniversary Ashkenaz Parade featuring Shadowland Theatre at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival on Monday September 6th.

The 2010 Ashkenaz Parade provided audiences with a swirling spectacle of music, dance, colour, puppetry, stilt walking and performance. This parade took place at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival on Monday September 6th.

The 2010 Ashkenaz Parade provided audiences with a swirling spectacle of music, dance, colour, puppetry, stilt walking and performance. This parade took place at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival on Monday September 6th.

The Other Europeans share their perspectives about Klezmer music at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Slichot engages with their audience as they sing a fantastic Middle Eastern piece on Saturday September 4th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Mycale (4 singers from New York and Israel) sing their hearts out at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival on Monday September 6th.

Efim Chorny delivers a great performance alongside his longtime accompanist Suzanna Ghergus and violin virtuoso Marin Bunea of The Other Europeans on Sunday September 5th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Susanna Ghergus and Marin Bunea ( of The Other Europeans) perform at the 2010 Ashkenaz Foundation on Sunday September 5th.

Witness this fantastic performance. Performed on Monday September 6th 2010 at the Ashkenaz Festival.

Zebrina plays some progressive Jewish fusion on Sunday September 5th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Special guest Khaira Arby sings her heart out and delivers a fantastic performance alongside The Sway Machinery at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival on Sunday September 5th.

The Sway Machinery plays a fantastic high energy tune on Sunday September 5th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.

Red Hot Chachkas play a high energy tune on Sunday September 5th at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.