Hana Rothová: artistic leader, song selection & arrangements (vocal, violin, recorder) Vladimír Merta: guitar, keyboards, arrangements (synthesizers)
Mishpaha
women: Saša Bartošová, Lucie Lucká-Mertová, Yvona Lucká-Škrdlantová, Vida Neuwirthová, Hana Rothová, Hana Skoumalová, Zdena Skoumalová, Anna Sterecová, Lea Šmídová, Irena Tausingerová (violin), Hana Vyhnálková
men: Tomáš Karger, Jakub Roth, Mikuláš Roth, Jan Skoumal, Petr Vacek
kids: Rebeka Mertová, Sára Mertová, Helena Rothová (recorder)
A Prague choir that arranges and performs Chassidic, Yiddisch, and Hebrew songs. About 15 years ago, a few women decided that instead of morely gossiping about the impossibility of free expression and the notorious oppression of Jewish culture by the totalitarian regime, they ought to fight against it in the simplest way: a Jewish song.
While the youngest children were sleeping, in the bedrooms of Prague flats, the first choir was forming, which would study and spread something natural and hard to ignore – folk and religious songs. The choir emerged from the inner needs of a nationality which was initilally neglected. Even membershipping in the choir was to be an almost subversive act against the regime, as was folk music in general, which was proved by the role of singers and of folk songs during the "velvet revolution".
The choir spread not only songs, but also tooling of national identity. About 15 people were shaping its image. Today, although their first two CD recordings have boosted the morale and dedication of its members, Mishpaha still means the same tradition of family singing, which can be heard at concerts, as well as al religious fetivities and ceremonies in the newly established Jewish Community at Prague.
The greatest experience of family singing is the simplest one: more important than your professionality its the fact, (if) that your heart is in the right place and you have faith.
