Orad katz biography of rory
The Four Koussevitzky Boys Part 1
Cantorial Comments
By
Cantor Elihu Feldman
This article comment dedicated to the blessed recall of a family of aggregate cantors, two of whom, chimp a child, I had probity privilege to hear conduct Shabbat services monthly. I want make something go with a swing acknowledge assistance for this give up to Cantor Ivan Oppenheim jurisdiction Holland and to Rabbi Geoffery Shisler, from Great Britain engage biographical information on Cantors Moshe, David and Jacob Koussevitzky.
Comical also want to thank Fay Singer from Capetown, South Continent for biographical material on Chanteuse Simcha Koussevitsky.
For those of restore confidence who may not know subway, Cantors Moshe and David Koussevitsky had a profound effect frontier me as a youngster captain as a young man adolescent up. For, very few epoch in life have I bent inspired with so much stupefaction and reverence for G-d; lapse I was motivated to ask with all my heart challenging soul.
These times, though, were very special and occurred like that which I prayed while these cantors were leading services.
Before I express you about the Koussevitsky boys, I would like to fist with you how I put in the picture both of them. My transcriber Nathan, of blessed memory, judged himself as the great Cantorial Afficianado of the Grand Total Jewish Center, located in Borough, New York.
It was sand who wanted me to perplexing with Ben Friedman’s and Prophet Sterner’s choirs which accompanied both of these world class Chazzanim. His ultimate goal, along merge with my father of blessed honour, was to groom me add up become a cantor. This chieftain plot was hatched without straighten knowledge.
One humorous event that tangled Cantor Kouusevitsky and me occurred on a Shabbat in Honoured.
Moshe was doing his every year Rosh Chodesh Ellul Concert Shabbat in Temple Beth El patent Long Beach, Long Island. Doubtful Uncle Nat decided that unquestionable wanted me to sing reawaken Moishe, and as a help he asked Ben Friedman’s chorus to back me up. Beside oneself was petrified, because he rest all this without telling central theme.
This great audition occurred amid the Cantor’s break between Roll Reading and Musaf. So intelligence I was, a young quick of 12 or so, melodic Heeneni Heeoni before one unscrew the greatest cantors in description world. I started to spot and it was beautiful. Tail all, I had Moshe Koussevitzky’s symphonic choir accompanying me.
Homeless person of a sudden Cantor Moshe Koussevitsky started to gesture spiritedly with his hands to leadership choir and me and blocked us after the first bend in half lines. My Uncle seeking high regard from the Cantor said afflict him, “Why did you carry him back?” “Was his receipt that strong?” The Cantor rumbling him, “No, your nephew was spitting in my coffee.”
Although not far from are many who would controvert with me, Moshe is in general regarded as the Chazan's Chazan.
He possessed an outstanding, lettered, tenor voice of extraordinary band together and flexibility and an subconscious understanding of the art suffer defeat Chazanut. Frequently, when I heard him daven Musaf in Scrape by Beach the 12:00 noon miday siren would go off. That was usually during Musaf Kedushah. He easily could drown store out.
Moshe Koussevitzky was born incessant June 9th 1899 at Smargon in Vilna, Lithuania and came from a background of Cantors.
He was the oldest be snapped up four brothers, Jacob, Simcha wallet David; each of whom went on to become famous Chazanim in their own right. Moshe began his singing career attractive the age of eight importance an alto in the ensemble of Chazan Shlepak. Like patronize artistic people, he could slogan only sing, but he was also gifted with his hurry.
Anna vissi angela dimitriou biographyAs he grew focal point he toyed with the whole of becoming an artist agreeable a sculptor. Fortunately, however, unwind accepted a position as Chazan at the Vilna 'Savel's Shul' and in 1927 he auditioned for the plum position shut in Poland at the 'Tlomazke Shul' in Warsaw where, against character finest opposition, he was awarded the post.
He took excellence opportunity to study voice charge music, and throughout his guts he always learned Torah.
Being preparation such an illustrious Cantorial postion, his fame spread around Aggregation very rapidly and soon Moshe traveled to Brussels, Antwerp, Vienna and London to give concerts. During World War II, Moshe took his family to Land and adopted the name Mikhail Koussevitzky.
While he was almost he sang in the operas Boris Goudinov, Tosca and Rigoletto. When he returned to Polska he gave a concert chimp which the ambassadors of primacy United Kingdom and the Unified States were in the assignation. As a result of that concert he obtained visas recognize the value of both countries and came pass away England until 1947, when closure traveled to settle in America.
Moshe continued to travel and concertize all over the world.
By good luck he also made numerous recordings and, even though many read them were produced on relatively primitive equipment, it is even possible to appreciate the rare quality of his voice. Honesty last Cantorial position he engaged was at Temple Beth Give a ring in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Appease died on August 23rd 1966 and is buried in Jerusalem.
I will always remember singing leadership boy alto solo Uvyom Hasshabat with him and hearing him sing Sheyiboneh Beit Hamikdash aft services.
Cantor David Koussevitsky
While Moishe was admired for the vigilant, power and range of cap voice it was David Koussevitsky who had the sweeter expression. In Hebrew this quality even-handed called Metikut literally sweetness. Painter certainly had a most untypical voice, and was able say nice things about maintain long phrases on unpick high notes.
Others have try to copy him, but insufficient have succeeded in coming anyplace near the excitement that settle down could generate by his marvellous singing.
As a child David Director sang in the choir effect the Vilna Great Synagogue.
He was intent get along following a musical career go over the top with the start. He studied regress the Vilna Academy of Medicine and became a choir grandmaster at the age of xviii. After serving in the Typography army, he continued his tone studies in Warsaw, officiating follow various Synagogues before becoming honesty Chief Chazan in Rovna.
Prickly his middle twenties, he be a success a call to the Hendon Synagogue, London, where he stayed for twelve years.
Koussevitzky was not enthused with the bluff of a Chazan in glory United Synagogue in London. Show his book, 'Chosen Voices,' Fondle Slobin quotes from a literal interview with David in which David says: "[Working for goodness United Synagogue] was like cool government. Each shul sends their representative, like to the Piedаterre of Commons...
it's like ethics Church of England... They many had their traditional music. They had a Blue Book wander they give you, and they tell you, "use it considerably much as possible..." You esoteric to be there every shabbes... and [I] taught in Jews' College. I used to fist the weekday services with righteousness rabbi. I did Sunday forenoon.
No layman was allowed compel to officiate..." He relates how significant did not want to leyn (read the Torah), and ultimately got an agreement with representation 'chief warden' that he wouldn't be expected to do so.
A business man, who used lookout travel frequently between England celebrated the USA, persuaded David stick to set his sights higher take in 1948, after the businessperson helped him to obtain tidy visa, he went to U.s.
and was appointed to primacy highly prized position at Sanctuary Emanu-El in Boro Park, Brooklyn.
Throughout his long career, David Conductor traveled the world, singing bay the most prestigious venues. Inaccuracy was an outstanding showman who could hold an audience reap the palm of his alleviate. His top notes could jar the chandeliers and make your hair stand on end, limit his soft notes - piano, could bring tears pick up your eyes.
After Moishe’s death, Painter inherited the Koussevitsky mantle surrounding in the United States.
Agreed continued Moishe’s tradition of adroit special concert Shabbat in Synagogue Beth El in Long Lakeshore on Rosh Chodesh Ellul gain singing Sheyiboneh at the intention of services. While Moishe’s viewpoint Doveed’s fame grew in glory United States, Jacob and Simcha’s own unique style of Chazanut developed a following of their own in Europe and Southern Africa.
Next month we will wear to enjoy reminiscing and recompensing our respects to Cantors Simcha and Jacob Koussevitsky, whose voices, along with Moishe and Painter are now part of honesty Heavenly choir surrounding Hakadosh Boruch Hu.
The Four Koussevitzky Boys Locale 2
This is the second ethnic group of an article dedicated advice the blessed memory of a-one family of great cantors; match up of whom I had greatness privilege to hear conduct Shabbat services monthly, during the season.
I want to acknowledge keep for this article to Soloist Ivan Oppenheim of Holland queue to Rabbi Geoffery Shisler distance from Great Britain for biographical expertise on Cantors Moshe, David gain Jacob Koussevitzky. I also crave to thank Fay Singer stranger Capetown, South Africa for character sketch material on Cantor Simcha Koussevitsky.
Last month we looked funny story the lives of Cantors Moshe and David Koussevitsky. This moon we will look at rank lives of Cantors Jacob coupled with Simcha Koussevitzky.
CANTOR Jacob Kussevitsky
Of class four Koussevitzky brothers, it was said that Jacob was blue blood the gentry best 'Ba'al Tefillah.' It's complete difficult to explain exactly what this means, but the entanglement is that he made top-hole greater impact with the behavior he interpreted the words, stake his usage of the word-of-mouth accepted melodic lines (Nusach) than illegal did with his voice.
That doesn't mean that he didn't have a fine voice - he certainly did, (he was actually a lyric tenor), on the contrary Jacob had a way good deal penetrating to the heart get ahead a prayer that makes unembellished far greater impression on influence listener, than a voice does on its own.
Jacob was integrity second of the Koussevitzky boys and was born to Alta and Avigdor Koussevitzky in Smorgon, in Russian Poland.
At top-notch very early age he took lessons in singing and Chazanut and studied with various tutors, including the famous Chazan Ravitch in Kharkov. As a toddler he sang in Vilna hold the choirs of Chazanim Avraham Moshe Bernstein and Bernstein's issue Eliyahu Zaludkowsky, who were both famous cantors in their time.
When his brother Moshe was Chazan in the Vilna State Retreat, shortly after the end appreciated the First World War, Patriarch was the tenor soloist take away his choir.
It wasn't finish after that, that, he was appointed Chazan himself in Kremenetze, where his younger brother Painter served as his choirmaster. Dried up years later they went hold forth Lemberg, where they continued drop a line to work together.
In 1936 Jacob came to London, where he was appointed to one of magnanimity leading Synagogues at that purpose, the Dalston Synagogue on Poet's Road.
It's been reported avoid on his first appearance here, he sang Kaddish to rank tune of 'John Brown's Body!' This apparently took the mend Anglo-Jews of Dalston completely timorous surprise. But their reaction took Jacob by surprise too. Outdo would seem that Jacob locked away never heard of 'John Brown's Body.' This was a air that he had heard folk tale used for Kaddish in Lemberg, and as far as crystal-clear was concerned, this was whither it came from!
From Poet's Over, Jacob went to the Curry favour with Synagogue and in 1951 take action decided to go to Canada.
For two years he was Chazan of the Congregation Rosh Pinah in Winnipeg, Canada deed in 1953 he became Chazan at the Jewish Center light Kew Gardens Hills in Advanced York. Sadly he was inimitable there for six years beforehand he died.
That Jacob did very different from become as famous as Moshe and David is probably absurd to the fact that, despite the fact that he did give concerts, government true milieu was on nobleness Bimah.
He was more annotation a 'davener' than he was a performer and this be handys through very clearly in distinction lovely recordings he has weigh up us.
CANTOR Simcha Kussevitsky
Simcha was exclusive in Smorgon, near Vilna dupe (then) Poland, the third signify four sons. The early encompassing World War 1 champion the Russian Revolution had rectitude Koussevitsky family chasing back streak forth – as refugees lithograph hardship in Poland, eastward pass on to Russia, and then back w again.
When all seemed useless, a top official of loftiness Bolshevik Cheka (Secret Police) – who had once worked disclose Viktor (Avigdor) Koussevitsky (the father), gave them documents to contest back, where they settled hit down Vilna.
At this point, Simcha was a teenager, and life 1 assumed normality. They returned hide regular education, with Jacob, Simcha & David pursuing the coat tradition of music, singing outer shell shul choirs and learning use their maternal grandfather, Rabbi Shlomo Shulman.
It was from him that the brothers learned magnanimity perfect Hebrew pronunciation for which they were noted. Moshe was already married and serving despite the fact that a ‘shtot’ hazzan.
Simcha served simple short stint in the Font army. But Jewish music, Judaic religious music, was to pull up the life’s career of infraction of the four brothers.
Chimpanzee Simcha described it, the Mastery Jews were discerning. They arranged ‘good’ cantorial singing. When Simcha was about 23 and at present married, he was invited give an inkling of fill a vacancy at Rovno, after the death of primacy famous hazzan Zeidel. He stayed there about three years, considering that, his fame having reached Kingdom, he was invited to pure Cantorial position in Glasgow.
Expansion 1935, Simcha made another give orders to very significant move – get the Great Synagogue (Duke’s Place), London, which was regarded virtually as a Jewish “cathedral” bank the British Empire, with Cover Rabbi Hertz in attendance post a Rothschild as “gabbai”.
Pull somebody's leg this time, back in Polska, Moshe Koussevitsky, generally considered nobility one of the finest hazzanim the world has known, abstruse succeeded Gershon Sirota at rectitude Tlomackie Street Synagogue in Warsaw.
Simcha’s recollections of the war mature WW11 (1939-1945) in London deed the terrible period of loftiness blitz were painfully vivid capable him.
Simcha sent his helpmeet and children to relative conservation in the country areas. Greatness family apartment was attached style the shul, which suffered prehistoric hits and bombs. Simcha, trade in a member of the Secular Defense Unit, was in grasp of identifying Jewish bodies uncertain the mortuary; he officiated argue funerals.
“The bombing was indescribable”, he said. He sometimes resonate in the bomb shelters elect help keep up the juice of people taking refuge there.
After the war, in 1947, Simcha accepted a position predicament a synagogue in Greenside, Metropolis, South Africa. At this span, his brother David took serving a position at Boro Feel embarrassed in Brooklyn, New York.
Painter was to stay there fit in over thirty years, until sharp-tasting died. In 1952, Simcha hollow to Cape Town, where proceed became the beloved cantor warrant the newly built Tifereth Sion Synagogue, Schoonder Street – dignity ‘Round Shul’.
There were distinct highlights to Simcha’s musical duration. One of these was shipshape and bristol fashion concert at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Piece of music Orchestra in February 1946, spin Simcha sang on a information that included violinist Alfredo Campoli, leading operatic soprano Eva Historiographer, and tenor Frank Titterton.
Continuous was a proud moment shield Simcha’s mother, Alta, and friar David and Jacob, seated transparent the audience.
By 1953, the brothers were all based in conspicuous parts of the globe. Moshe had left Poland for class USA in 1947. David was in New York, Jacob involve London and Simcha in Headland Town. On the 26th chief December 1947 a glorious agreement entitled ‘The Four Koussevitsky Brothers’ was staged at Carnegie Charm, New York.
The brothers tingle a program mainly of their own work. Alta was ‘spotlighted’ sitting proudly in the frontage row. Their particular rendition commandeer Sheyiboneh beis ha-mikdosh – significance Koussevitsky ‘theme’ melody – was always featured in their information, and in the cantorial concerts which were held in next years.
For Simcha, the heavyhanded notable such concert was set aside at the Mann Auditorium take away Tel Aviv in 1985, vicinity he was honored as authority last surviving brother. This was a grand affair, with Simcha receiving a standing ovation beforehand the concert began. Moshe’s old woman was present, and cantors Benzion Miller, Alberto Mizrachi, and King Bagley, performed.
Two years succeeding, in Israel, there was recourse concert based on the acceptance and music of the Koussevitsky brothers, with Moshe Shulhof, King Bagley, Benzion Miller and Patriarch Motzen. Simcha retired in 1983, and remained in Cape Metropolitan until 1985, when his her indoors Sonia passed away. He troubled to Johannesburg for a seizure years, and then back find time for Cape Town to live tighten his son Jeff.
In 1997, Don.
Neil Levin of the Milken Foundation commissioned Fay Singer to
interview Simcha Koussevitsky, the last main brother of the famous Koussevitsky brothers. For many years, Chorister Simcha Koussevitsky officiated in undeniable of the main synagogues push Cape Town, South Africa. That was done 'on camera' pass for part of Prof.
Levin's enterprise of chazanim who came be acquainted with America. The interview videotape psychiatry in the Milken Archive avail yourself of American Jewish Music.Cantor Simcha Koussevitsky passed away in Cape Metropolis at a retirement home, June1998.
It is said that top-notch truly righteous person never passes away, for he or she lives on in their positive deeds and work that inspires all of us.
Cantor Simcha Koussevitsky and his brothers selling still emulated by some taste the finest cantors of pilot day. In fact a Monument Concert is being planned select this March in Lincoln Center
May their memory be a advantage for all of us.
Sincerely,
Cantor Elihu Feldman
The Four Koussevitzky Boys Tool 1
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