At St. Pölten Synagogue Cantor Heller, April 18, 2024April 22, 2024 By invitation of the Institute of History of Jews of Austria. I had the privilege of participating in the re-inauguration ceremony of what was once my father’s parents and family’s Synagogue in St. Pölten, Austria, which suffered from the 9th of Nov 1938 pogrom and went through several renovations. Renovation project picture This Art Nouveau treasure will sparkle once more, now fully accessible on every level. Its restoration and conversion into a contemporary hub for exhibitions, cultural happenings, and historical education, emphasizing its own Lower Austrian history, were financed by the federal government, the Lower Austrian state, and the city of St. Pölten. During the event, with the presence of the force behind its transformation Mag Martha Keil and her team, civil and clerical authorities, the Chief Rabbi of Austria and President of the Jewish Community and guests, we performed Salomon Sulzer’s “Ma Tovu ohalecha Ya’akov, mishkenotecha Yisrael,” which translates to “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel.” It comes from the Book of Numbers 24:5. It’s recited as a prayer expressing awe and appreciation for the sanctity of the places of worship and houses of study.. Sulzer, is considered the pioneer of Choral Synagogue music and the former Chief Cantor at the Vienna Synagogue in the Middle of the XIX century, who influenced Louis Lewandowsi [Berlin] Samuel Naumbourg [Paris], and all those who followed. Screenshot taken from the direct special sending from ORF TV In this memorable evening the talented cellist Monica Scott, who is a descendant of the Synagogue’s architect, accompanied me as we presented a rendition of “Ma Tovu” for baritone and cello, celebrating the beauty of this building. This youtube recording is the original version composed for organ choir and Cantor. Related Hazzanut CantorialSt Pölten Synagogue
Hazzanut Louis Lewandowski’s 200th anniversary May 19, 2021October 21, 2022 Louis Lewandowski 1821-2021 Keeping the legacy of Louis LewandowskiFrom a lecture at the European Cantors Association, Prague 2016 Cantor Dr. Paul Heller Tina Frühauf has given us a book that is as much about Jewish identity as it is about music. She presents the organ as a marker of Jewish… Read More
Hazzanut The High Holy days music at Belsize Square Synagogue September 19, 2023September 19, 2023 The capability to live stream, and archive, our services, allows me the luxury of being able to review, and edit, our important musical legacy. I’d like to share one such development. It’s a new composition by Dr Benjamin Wolf, our synagogue’s Music Director, Choir Master and Composer that was commissioned… Read More
Cantorial The Professional Choir of Belsize Square Synagogue June 7, 2021June 8, 2021 TO THE PROFESSIONAL CHOIR OF BSS AT THE HENRY KUTTNER SHABBAT–OCTOBER 2014 When I learned that I had been chosen to work in this Synagogue There were so many feelings at once: joy, fear … I did not know what fate was in for me. Many questions and many doubts… Read More