Cantor David Roirtman Omar Rebbe Elozar

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  • čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
  • David Roitman
    1884 - 1943
    It's said that in the late 1920's, a most extraordinary court case was held in the United States. Two of the world's most famous Chazanim were engaged in a battle to claim the rights to two musical compositions - Ashamnu Mikol Am, from Selichot, and Rachel Mevaka al Baneha, a concert item, based on words from the prophet Jeremiah. Both Yossele Rosenblatt and David Roitman claimed to have composed them and, at the end of the day, the court ruled in Roitman's favour. I don't know if the transcript of the case was ever published, or if the trial ever happened, but, if it did, it would surely make for fascinating reading!
    David Roitman was born in Derezhinke, Podolia. As a lad he sang in various Synagogue choirs with some very famous Chazanim, including Moshe Gruberman and Zeidel Rovner and, like most Chazanim in those days, he graduated from being a chorister to become a Chazan in his own right. At 18 he was appointed in Elisavetgrad and at 25 he became Chazan in Vilna. The Great Synagogue in St. Petersburg was his next post and in this prestigious position, with a salary commensurate with its importance, he remained until 1917.
    Being forced to move on by the Bolshevik Revolution, he went to Odessa and then Kishinyev. He remained in Kishinyev for a time and was even able to embark on some concert tours from there, and it was on one of these tours, while he was in Bucharest, that he was fortunate to be heard by the American consul, who was greatly impressed by his singing and arranged for him to emigrate to the US with his family.
    When he first arrived in the States, Roitman occupied the Bimah at the Ohev Shalom Congregation in Brooklyn, where the renowned Leo Low was choirmaster, and from 1924 until his death, he officiated at Congregation Shaare Zedek in New York, making many concert tours in Europe and South America.
    When Roitman came to England, he was guest Chazan at the Nelson Street Synagogue.
    Roitman had a most beautiful, lyric tenor voice. It was very flexible, and he was able to sing the most complicated coloratura ( ie the long, flowery, twiddly bits). He was renowned for having the unusual facility of being able to pass from a very high falsetto into full voice with absolutely no discernable break. This is technically very difficult to execute and few, of even the world's greatest male singers, have ever been able to achieve it as faultlessly as Roitman.
    Although David Roitman died at the comparatively young age of 59, it is fortunate that he left us with quite a number of his recordings, some of which were made whilst he was still in Russia. Thanks to modern technology, we can continue to thrill at his wonderful artistry.

Komentáře • 21

  • @robertevans8010
    @robertevans8010 Před 3 lety +3

    What a Beautiful voice and rendition, please do not quarrel who was the greatest , they all had great voices, Caruso befriended many of the Cantors and his admiration was true.

  • @2cyrell
    @2cyrell Před 10 lety +3

    one the best,perfecto coloratura,outspending Zuger,,

  • @maimonidesedmonton
    @maimonidesedmonton Před 7 měsíci

    See Motti Boyer do his rendition of this also in 2023. Put into CZcams

  • @CantorClassics
    @CantorClassics Před 3 lety

    Beautiful recording. Interestingly, it does not correspond exactly to the published sheet music. I wonder if that had something to do with the court case referenced in the description above. Or perhaps it was just improvisation.

  • @meyercohen7140
    @meyercohen7140 Před 9 lety +1

    Sammy Fisher obviously has no appreciation of cantorial music whatsoever.

    • @sammyfisher4793
      @sammyfisher4793 Před 9 lety

      It's OK what you saying on me, I don't take it as an insult, just watch your back because I know you 😃 i'll be the first want to admit I am a Rosenblatt sicko

  • @sammyfisher4793
    @sammyfisher4793 Před 9 lety

    Try's to copy the great one
    יוסעלע

    • @greatestcantor
      @greatestcantor  Před 9 lety +1

      Yanky
      David Roitman did not copy Yossele he did not have to he was talented in his own way
      If anything Yossele sang Roitman's song's and was taken to court for doing so.

    • @KCNusach
      @KCNusach Před 9 lety +4

      yanky lichtman Yossele published two versions of Amar Rabbi Elazar. The second one was inspired by Roitman's and was published after him. Roitman composed immensely difficult and musically complex pieces - without any recognizable influence of any of his contemporaries. The second part of this song is as deep and as accomplished as the first part and is in a completely different league to any other composition of the era.
      Before you dismiss a composer, perhaps you should get a feel for his compositions so that you can appreciate their depth and beauty.

    • @sammyfisher4793
      @sammyfisher4793 Před 9 lety +1

      +eel1452 yosela toke too pieces from Roitman A'saumnu and Ruchel mavaku

    • @sammyfisher4793
      @sammyfisher4793 Před 9 lety

      +eel1452 yosela toke too pieces from Roitman A'saumnu and Ruchel mavaku

    • @sammyfisher4793
      @sammyfisher4793 Před 9 lety

      +eel1452 yosela toke too pieces from Roitman A'saumnu and Ruchel mavaku