At St. Pölten Synagogue

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.

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.

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.