The first references to a Jewish male choir in Basel may be found at the end of the 19th century and again in 1903.
The records are then silent until the 1920s, when Chief Cantor Max Epstein came to Basel from Frankfurt am Main, and the existence of a synagogue choir has been documented since 1928. Tragically, a synagogue choir which has functioned without interruption for such a long time is, because of the Shoah, a unique phenomenon in Europe and may be considered a historical miracle.
Indeed, Basel has a very long tradition in Chasanut. The Jewish Community of Basel / IGB (founded in 1805) – a so-called Einheitsgemeinde (‘United Community’) following the German type – is one of the very few in the world to have had in the past and to this day a permanent professional Chasan, as well as a synagogue choir performing every Shabbat, on all festivals and on special occasions.
Since its ‘rebirth’ in 1928, the choir has performed together with Chief Cantors Max Epstein, Israel Karmon, Marcel Lang and Issachar Helman, and has played an important role in regular services.
Most Chasanim in Basel are rooted in the eastern-oriented tradition. The Chasanut they have brought with them to Basel reflect more or less the German-Ashkenasy tradition, albeit with an Eastern-European character.
With today’s Chasan, Israel-born Issachar Helman, new melodies have entered into our very large repertoire. Tradition and progress are not contradictory. The resulting tension between old and new, between eastern and western influence, embellishes services in a very special way.
Today, the Choir of The Great Synagogue in Basel consists of 16 amateur male singers under the direction of Doron Schleifer – a professional conductor and music educationalist. The choir has a very large repertoire both for the regular services in the synagogue and for concerts.
The Choir has appeared on stage in many concerts, performing with famous Chasanim such as Naftali Hershtik, Joseph Malovany, Moshe Stern, Moshe Haschel and many more. It is always a very special moment and brings great satisfaction to the singers to be on stage and to participate in concerts, as we not only bring Jewish liturgical music closer to people, but also give them moments of joy and happiness.
More choirs of the Louis Lewandowski Festival 2013
BRESLAUER SYNAGOGALCHOR, WROCŁAW
Poland's only synagogal choir, under the direction of Stanisław M. Rybarczyk, was founded in 1996. At the beginning the choir consisted of students and music graduates of the Academy of Music in Wroclaw. Today only professional singers sing there.
Festival DVD kaufen!
Alle Festival DVDs (Audio / Video) des Louis Lewandowski Festivals sind bei Hentrich & Hentrich, dem Verlag für jüdische Kultur und Zeitgeschichte erschienen. Die DVDs sind Aufzeichnungen der großen Abschlusskonzerte mit alle Ensembles des jeweiligen Jahres. Sprachen: deutsch und englisch.
LEIPZIGER SYNAGOGALCHOR
Jewish music in the Ashkenazi Diaspora was flourishing incomparably during the 19th and beginnings of the 20th century; a phenomenon primarily caused by organ building in liberal synagogues in Central Europe.
THE PROFESSIONAL CHOIR OF BELSIZE SQUARE SYNAGOGUE
Belsize Square Synagogue was founded in early 1939 by Jewish refugees based in the Swiss Cottage area of London. With help from the local Liberal Synagogue these founder members were able to hold their first Friday evening Service on 24th March, 1939.
THE UPPER GALILEE CHOIR, ISRAEL
The Upper Galilee Choir was established in 1978 by Stanley Sperber and under his direction, a year later, performed Mendelssohn’s Oratorio “Elijah” at the Musica Sacra Festival in Jerusalem.
THE ZIMRATYA CANTORS CHOIR, ISRAEL
The Zimratya choir comprises some 28 members who are Cantors or leaders of the Prayer services in Synagogues close to their homes in Israel.