Cantors in Concert — Music of the Jewish Liturgy
posted 28 September 2004

Monday 20 December 2004, 7.45pm Queen Elizabeth Hall

A joyous celebration of Jewish male-voice song highlighting the Art of the Cantor.
Musical Director: Stephen Glass
A Barry Weinberg Memorial Concert presented by the Jewish Music Institute supported by the Jewish Chronicle

Part of the Cantorial Winter School SOAS, University of London

Never before have so many British Cantors stood together on a stage to celebrate Jewish Male Voice Music and the beautiful liturgy of the synagogue. Maybe you did not think there were so many cantors actively working in Britain anymore, but we are delighted to have 16 cantors lined up for the concert. This concert will be the first celebration and appreciation of the British Cantorate and the music of the synagogue on this scale.

These cantors are dedicated to the medieval Middle Eastern motifs and melodies of Jewish prayers and to chanting the different modal sounds that distinguish the weekdays from the Sabbath and the High Holidays from the rest.

Stephen Glass, the Head of the JMI School of Liturgical Music, will be coming from Montreal to work with the cantors, creating a seamless blend of solo, duo and ensemble work. Stephen's vast knowledge, superb arrangements and compositions, his absolute dedication to synagogue music and superb, humorous and direct communication with singers have made him one of the most sought after accompanists and synagogue musical directors in the world.

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Cantors and Choirs:

Cantors taking part (so far) are David Apfel (Leeds) Lionel Rosenfeld (Bournemouth) and London full and part time cantors, Moshe Haschel (St. John’s Wood), Avrom Levin (Ilford), Steven Leas (Great Portland Street), Robert Brody (Kenton), Moshe Dubiner, Gedalya Alexander, Ari Cohen (Dean Street), Lawrence Fine (Belsize Square, retired), Nathan Gluck (Munks), Adam Musikant (Lauderdale Road), Stephen Robins (Woodside Park), Geoffrey Shisler (New West End), Yisroel Singer (Marble Arch), Dov Speyer.

Choirmasters ready to perform with their choirs are Stephen Levey (Shabbaton Choir) Simon Appleman (Woodside Park Choir) and choirs of Great Portland Street

All the participants are donating their services to raise money for the Barry Weinberg Fund for Jewish Music, which since its foundation in February 2002 has funded two London choir Festivals a children's choir Festival, choral masterclasses and a Cantorial Summer School. Future plans include a Cantorial Winter School , and choral projects for children and adults in 2005. A fitting legacy for Barry Weinberg.

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Venue and Tickets:

'Cantors in Concert' takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 20 December, 7:45pm.
Tickets £19.50, £16.00, £12.50
Royal Festival Hall Box Office 08703 800 400
Or Book online www.rfh.org.uk

A Barry Weinberg Memorial Concert presented by the Jewish Music Institute supported by the Jewish Chronicle

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