The concept of a “global village” appears more and more real as the generation of land lines, mobile phones and laptops gives in to PDAs and iPads. I received a Google Alert (yes, I follow myself and my daughter that way) that Radio New Zealand is about to broadcast my program, The Art of the Cantor, in its full eight-show format beginning September 2, 2010. How very nice of them! The next day a notice is posted on Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog, written by Schelly Talalay Dardashti (a relative of my close friend, Hazzan Farid Dardashti), announcing this special broadcast.
Having been broadcast on over 150 stations around the U.S. this program, created by myself and the late Barry Serota for WFMT-Chicago, is worthy of a listen, if I say so myself. It remains entertaining as well as subtly educational while one gets caught up in the magnificent sounds of many of the best cantors of the 20th century; Gershon Sirota, Yossele Rosenblatt, Moyshe Oysher, Richard Tucker and many others.The eight-CD set is available from WFMT Classical Radio, Chicago
If you don’t see it on their shop page, contact Mr. Steve Robinson, executive v.p. of the station and my friend.
Here is the excerpt from Schelly's blog - which, by the way is a treasure trove of insights, observations and links to Jewish culture and life past and present :
New Zealand: On a different note
According to J-Wire - which covers Jewish news in Australia and New Zealand, Radio New Zealand will broadcast "The Art of the Cantor."
The story reports that the series of eight weekly programs will begin at 7pm, on Thursday, September 2.
The series focuses on the music of the 20th century's greatest cantorial voices, such as Richard Tucker, Gershon Sirota, Yossele Rosenblatt, Moyshe Oysher, Jan Peerce, The Koussevitzky brothers and others.
For those unfamiliar with Jewish clergy, the cantor or hazzan often fills diverse tasks, including leading worship, officiating at life cycle events, education of children and adults, synagogue music and pastoral care. This is in addition to roles handled by rabbis of congregations.
The program is hosted by internationally known Sephardic Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, of Anshe Emet Synagogue (Chicago, Illinois). It provides historical background and personal insight into the lives and voices of these spiritual and musical leaders.
Here are the eight programs and the focus of each segment:
1: Greatest Cantors of the 20th Century, 1
2: Greatest Cantors of the 20th Century, 2
3: Greatest Cantors of the 20th Century, 3
4: Operatic Cantors and Cantors in Opera
5: The Cantor in America
6: Cantors in Concert
7: The Western European Tradition
8: Cantors After the Golden Age
New Zealand listeners are in for a treat!
