In The Spirit Of Yossele- Now on Youtube

Today I came across a video uploaded by CantorialArt containing an interview of the great grandson of Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt. For someone who has only listened to his music, I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Yossele as a person. There are several stories told which demonstrate how he was not only a man with a gifted voice but a man with tremendous integrity. The interview is in two parts. Totally worth the entire 15 minutes.

Cantor Rosenblatt Donation to Titanic Victims- July 1913 "אל מלא רחמים"

This morning, while getting mentally prepared to start working (by day I work for a Digital Marketing company doing business development), I came across a very interesting Youtube video with the title "Cantor Yoselle Rosenblat- El Mole Rachamim (for 'Titanik').  I did a double take.  Is this true?  Did Cantor Rosenblatt record a special rendition of El Mole Rachamim in response to this terrible tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic?  Apparently, yes.

I believe this was recorded by Cantor Rosenblatt around July of 1913 for RCA Records.  According to Jpost, Cantor Rosenblatt donated 100% of his rights to the recording, which raised upwards of $150,000 to be contributed to families who lost loved ones on the Titanic.

Though we are 100 years since the tragedy of the Titanic, let's take comfort in knowing that there will always be those who extend themselves to help those who are suffering.

יוסלה רוזנבלט

"Exalted, compassionate God, grant perfect peace in Your sheltering Presence, among the holy and the pure, to the souls of all our beloved who have gone to their eternal home. May their memory endure as inspiration for deeds of charity and goodness in our lives. May their souls thus be bound up in the bond of life. May they rest in peace. And let us say: Amen."

Chazzanut Online- For your Cantorial needs

Last year I showcased a site called Virtual Cantor, a rich database of free traditional Nussach for many Shabbat/Holiday services. Today I would like to give a shout out to Chazzanut. This site contains a plethora of Cantorial sheet music as well as MIDI files, so you can pickup Abraham Katz's V'Shamru or Birkat Kohanim. Take a look and let me know which piece is your favorite? Better yet, why not make a youtube video of yourself singing the piece and share it? I am thinking of starting to upload some cantorial pieces to CantorsClub.

Happy Singing!
Mishebeirakh- Cantor Katz Midi

IDF Chief Cantor- Prayer for the State of Israel

Earlier this year, my father-in-law sent me a video of a guy singing a "Prayer for the State of Israel" (Avinu Shebashamayim). It just so happens, it was Shai Abramson, the IDF's Chief Cantor as of 2009. Apparently, in 2008, he was asked to sing at an IDF function and after he finished, the Chief of Staff said on the podium, “I greatly enjoyed that amazing chazan (cantor),” Ashkenazi said. “Your voice is amazing and if you lack a horizon at Elram [the previous name for Technology and Logistics Branch – ed.] then you have one in chazanut with us,”.

Cantor Yaakov Motzen Sings at Kemp Mill Synagogue in Maryland

This past friday evening I went to the Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silverspring MD to hear the visiting Cantor Yaakov Motzen lead Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv.

I did not know what to expect. Over the last several years all the buzz had been about Cantor Helfgot and a select other few. I am familiar with a handful other Chazzanim that are all very talented but Cantor Yaakov Motzen had slipped under the radar.

He is a true professional. Every phrase that comes out of his mouth is carefully crafted with strong vocal technique and artistic interpretation. He sounds like he could night float as an Opera Singer.

The accompanying choir from YU was passable at best but still added an important element that is essential for a strong Cantorial experience. A good choir not only helps push the Cantor/Congregation to new heights but helps make the Cantorial soloist's singing more accessible so the congregation can sing along as well.

Cantor Motzen's high notes were the most exciting part of the evening. Whether just touching a high note during an arpeggiated chord or holding a sustained high note at the end of Lewandowski's tzadik katamar they all were thrilling, effortless, and inspiring.

This type of experience is what we so desperately need to jump start Jewish music as an art form in the synagogue again.

I Dread Going to Shul- By Daniel Schwartz

This article about Chazzanut appears in issue 9 of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.

It provides a historical context for the decline of the role of Cantorial Music in Synagogue practice, stemming from the emergence of the Young Israel movement, who's mission was to render synagogue services more relevant to the contemporary worshipper.

Read the article here- I Dread Going to Shul

Naftali Herstik - Shomer Yisrael

Last week I came across a video by Naftali Herstik, backed by the Neimah Singers doing a choral arrangement of Shomer Yisrael. Videos like these "Save" my life every once in a while, breathing fresh clean air into my lungs and fueling my continued passion for life and music. Not bad for a few minutes on youtube!

Cantor Herstik's voice soars over the choir in a light Falsetto, adorning the beautiful choral arrangement that rests beneath it, uplifting all those who choose to immerse themselves in the music. One can only hope more congregations will adopt similar practices to uplift congregants.

Cantor Benzion Miller Lights Chanukah Candles

Listen to the Chanukah blessings as you've never heard them before. This is Cantor Benzion Miller's rendition of the candle lighting blessings for Chanukah back in 1989.

CantorsClub Assemble w/ guest Cantor!

This Friday night and Saturday morning CantorsClub will be singing with Cantor Zev Muller and special guest Cantor Paul Kentor at the West Side Institutional Synagogue. We will be singing special arrangements of songs like Shama V'Tismach, Avinu Shebashamayim, Etz Chayim, and Adon Olam. Don't worry. CantorsClub makes Cantorial Music (or Chazzanut) fun so you don't have to be a cantorial enthusiast to appreciate our music...

CantorsClub. How did it all begin?

Hi there.  We are a group of Jewish Cantorial Music enthusiasts who love to sing.  We have sang with a number of cantors in Manhattan.  It all started several years ago at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue.  A small group of us went to hear Cantor Malovany the Friday night service for Shabbat.  There weren't many people at the service and the Cantor imediately noticed our presense as we sang four part harmonies around Cantor Malovany's beautiful voice.

By the middle of the service Cantor Malovany began conducting us from the pulpit and by the end of the service, we were singing as his de facto choir and thus, CANTORSCLUB was born.