Martin Widerker is a composer of Jewish melodies, following in the style and tradition of the Bobover, Satmar, Wishnitzer and Kretschmer Chassidim, who have influenced him since his childhood. He began playing the violin at the age of five. By age 13, he concluded his studies at the conservatory and at age 12, he played his first Vivaldi concert in front of a large audience in Wroclaw, Poland. Since the age of 11, Widerker has been living in Europe. After finishing his high school education, he studied electronic engineering and business studies at the University “Technische Hochschule” in Stuttgart. At the age of 25, Widerker began his career as a self-employed entrepreneur, and later founded the Widerker Group, which specialized in property development and the management of commercial real estate. Since 1968, Widerker has been a board member of the Jewish community in Stuttgart, Germany (Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft Württembergs IRGW). Since 1991 Widerker has been the chairman of Keren HaYessod - United Jewish Israel Appeal for Württemberg, and in 2001 he became deputy chairman of Keren HaYessod, Germany. Widerker is a long-time supporter of and contributor to the State of Israel and various Jewish organizations. He is founder and sponsor of the Karl-Adler Music Performance competition for Jewish youngsters and children. Widerker's hobbies are sport diving, skiing, tennis, volleyball, playing music instruments and composing. He also enjoys flying high performance aircrafts. Martin Widerker’s family origins are Eastern European, Jewish-orthodox, stemming from Poland, Galicia, Ukrain and Belarus. This culture, its language and its customs have disappeared over the course of the years, but continue to exist in his memories. Martin Widerker remembers the Jewish songs that were sung in his family when he was child. In recent years, it has been his passion to compose “Nigunim” i.e. Jewish melodies, similar to the ones he remembers from his childhood years. Martin Widerker has composed ten such melodies, to the words of well-known psalms and prayers which are typically sung on Shabbat. He named his newest composition “Shabbat HaMalka - old traditions revived in a new form, at a new age. For more information please visit: www.martinwiderkermusic.com. ----------------- More Information about the Songs on this Album: 1. Shalom Aleichem - Peace With You Based on Talmud statements, this Shabbat song contains a welcoming for the angels of the Almighty G’d who join us at the entering of Shabbat and leave us at the ending of Shabbat. 2. Ko Ribon Olam – G’d, Master of the World This Shabbat hymn is a song of praise for the Almighty Creator and His dignity and majesty. It is filled with hope to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 3. Ma Yedidut Menuchatech – How Lovely is Your Peacefulness This is a song of praise describing the Shabbat as a taste of the World to come. Likewise, it is an appeal for us to work to bring about the coming of the Messiah. 4. V'Shamru B'nei Yisrael – The Children of Yisrael are to Observe the Shabbat Sung upon the entrance of Shabbat, this song’s lyrics come from Exodus 31: 16-17, which describes Shabbat as a sign of the lasting covenant between the L-RD and the Israelites forever. Just as G’d abstained from work and rested on the seventh day, so should we. 5. Yom Ze L'Israel – For Israel is This Day This writing of this traditional Shabbat song is attributed to the famous Kabbalist Luria (16th C., Safed). It describes the superiority of Shabbat when we are each endowed with an “additional soul” (Neshama Yetera). 6. Baruch Kel Elyon – Praise G’d the Most High This hymn of praise (13th C., Mainz) signifies that G’d indeed has given the gift of Shabbat to Yisrael and the people of Zion. 7. Yedid Nefesh – Dearly Beloved Friend The words of this song are thought to have been written a thousand years ago by Yehuda HaLevi. They emphasize the eternal faithfulness of G’d and the people of Israel’s corresponding trust in G’d. 8. Shabbat HaYom LaShem – To G’d it is Shabbat Today According to the commandment of the Decalogue (Exodus 20: 8-11), this Shabbat song reminds us of the holiness of this high day and compels us to celebrate it. 9. Ata Echad – You are One This hymn connects the “Shma Yisrael” with Zechariah 14:9, where the Almighty is defined as One and Yisrael is called “His nation” (2 Samuel 7:23). The song ends with “Praise be to the L-rd, who has given rest to his people Yisrael just as he romised” (1 Kings 8:56). 10. Shabbat HaMalka – Shabbat, the Queen For the joyful welcoming of Shabbat, Israeli national poet Chaim Nachman Bialik (1873-1934) wrote this poem, based on Talmud statements, as a new variation of the traditional Shabbat song "Lecha Dodi”.