Jump to content

Yitzchak Meir Helfgot: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
KasparBot (talk | contribs)
1,549,811 edits
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
5,435,466 edits
Misc citation tidying. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | #UCB_CommandLine
 
(15 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox musical artist
[[File:הלפגוט.PNG|thumbnail]]
| name = Yitzchak Meir Helfgot
⚫
Cantor '''Yitzchak Meir Helfgot''' ({{lang-he|יצחק מאיר הלפגוט}}, {{lang-yi|יצחק מאיר העלפגאט}}) is an Israeli-born [[Hasidic]] [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Jewish]] [[Hazzan|Cantor]]. He is widely regarded as the greatest living practitioner of Jewish Cantorial Arts on account of his great vocal dexterity and range; like the famous operatic tenors he is capable of sustaining long passages in the difficult uppermost [[tessitura]], while also possessing overt technical facility in executing ornate [[melisma|melismas]].
| image = הלפגוט.PNG
| caption = Helfgot in 2006
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|1|1}}
| birth_place = [[Bnei Brak, Israel]]
| occupation = cantor
| years_active = 2002–present
| label = [[Sony Music]]
| website = {{URL|cantorhelfgot.com}}
}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}


⚫
Cantor '''Yitzchak Meir Helfgot''' ({{langx|he|יצחק מאיר הלפגוט}}, {{langx|yi|יצחק מאיר העלפגאט}}) is an Israeli-born [[Hasidic]] [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Jewish]] [[Hazzan|cantor]], known for his vocal dexterity and range. Like some operatic tenors he is capable of sustaining long passages in the difficult uppermost [[tessitura]], while also possessing overt technical facility in executing ornate [[melisma]]s.
⚫
In addition to having held several prestigious posts as Chief Cantor (including Europe and the United States), Helfgot has performed in concert all over the world. In December 2006, under the auspices of Cantors World, he performed a solo concert at the [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]] with the [[New York Philharmonic]] directed by Maestro Mordechai Sobol. In January 2007, he sang in [[Madison Square Garden]] to an audience of 30,000 at Siyum HaShas. In December 2007, he performed at [[Lincoln Center]] in [[Avery Fisher Hall]], again accompanied by the [[New York Philharmonic]], in a tribute to Cantor Moshe Koussevitzky. He shared a stage with Cantor Shimon Farkas of Central Synagogue in Sydney, Australia, Cantor Yehuda Niassof, and rockstar [[Jimmy Barnes]] in August 2009. In December 2010, he performed at the [[White House]] during a [[Chanukah]] menorah lighting ceremony. He has also performed in distinguished venues, synagogues and concert halls in almost every European city and the world over, including the [[Warsaw Opera House]] in Poland, Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem and [[Carnegie Hall]] in New York City.


== Career ==
⚫
His solo albums (see Discography below), recorded with one of the world authorities on Cantorial music, Dr. Mordechai Sobol, have reinvigorated the art form through record breaking sales in this niche market. Despite the bombast of the musical arrangements, the vocal quality harks back to the Golden Age of Chazzanut, where legendary Jewish singers like Yossele Rosenblatt and Moshe Koussevitsky produced albums that featured both devotional prayers and traditional Jewish folk songs.
⚫
In addition to having held several prestigious cantorial posts in Europe and the United States, Helfgot has performed in concerts all over the world. In December 2006, under the auspices of Cantors World, he performed a solo concert at the [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]] with the [[New York Philharmonic]] directed by Mordechai Sobol. In January 2007, he sang in [[Madison Square Garden]] to an audience of 30,000 at a [[Siyum HaShas]]. In December 2007, he performed at [[Lincoln Center]] in [[Avery Fisher Hall]], again accompanied by the New York Philharmonic, in a tribute to Cantor [[Moshe Koussevitzky]]. He shared a stage with Cantor [[Shimon Farkas]] of Central Synagogue in Sydney, Australia, Cantor Yehuda Niassof, and rock star [[Jimmy Barnes]] in August 2009. In December 2010, he performed at the [[White House]] during a [[Chanukah]] menorah lighting ceremony. He has also performed in distinguished venues, synagogues and concert halls in almost every European city and the world over, including the [[Warsaw Opera House]] in Poland, Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem and [[Carnegie Hall]] in New York City.


⚫
His solo albums, recorded with a renowned authority on cantorial music, Dr. Mordechai Sobol, led to popular success. Despite the bombast of the musical arrangements, the vocal quality harks back to the golden age of chazzanut, where legendary Jewish cantors like [[Yossele Rosenblatt]] and Moshe Koussevitsky produced albums that featured both devotional prayers and traditional Jewish folk songs.
⚫
In 2012, Helfgot broke new ground with the unprecedented collaboration between a cantor and a world-class classical musician. Renowned violinist [[Itzhak Perlman]] spearheaded a project with Sony to record sophisticated new arrangements of famous Cantorial pieces, reworked to include a dual focus on the voice and violin. The music director for this project was the highly regarded expert on Jewish music [[Hankus Netsky]], and the conductor was Australian-born Russell Ger. A promotional tour with this assembled team saw sold-out performances at the [[Barclay's Center arena]] in Brooklyn, as well as Boston's [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]], Long Island's [[Tilles Performing Arts Center]], Toronto's [[Roy Thomson Hall]], and a crowd of 15,000 at the [[Hollywood Bowl]]. A [[PBS]] special titled "Rejoice" was also filmed in New York City in late 2013, and further performances took place at the [[Mizner Park Amphitheater]] in Boca Raton and the distinguished [[Ravinia Festival]].


⚫
In 2012, Helfgot broke new ground with the unprecedented collaboration between a cantor and a world-class classical musician. Renowned violinist [[Itzhak Perlman]] spearheaded a project with Sony to record sophisticated new arrangements of famous cantorial pieces, reworked to include a dual focus on the voice and violin. The music director for this project was [[Hankus Netsky]], and the conductor was Australian-born Russell Ger. A promotional tour with this assembled team saw sold-out performances at the [[Barclays Center]] in Brooklyn, Boston's [[Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]], Long Island's [[Tilles Performing Arts Center]], Toronto's [[Roy Thomson Hall]], and a crowd of 15,000 at the [[Hollywood Bowl]]. A [[PBS|Public Broadcasting Service]] special titled "Rejoice" was also filmed in New York City in late 2013, and further performances took place at the [[Mizner Park Amphitheater]] in Boca Raton and the [[Ravinia Festival]].
⚫
Helfgot currently serves as Chief Cantor of the historic [[Park East Synagogue]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parkeastsynagogue.org/clergy-staff.php |title=Park East Synagogue |publisher=Park East Synagogue |date=1930-03-20 |accessdate=2013-08-18}}</ref>

⚫
Helfgot is chief cantor of the [[Park East Synagogue]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |date=1930-03-20 |title=Park East Synagogue |url=http://www.parkeastsynagogue.org/clergy-staff.php |access-date=2013-08-18 |website=Park East Synagogue |publisher=}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 32: Line 45:


{{Contemporary Jewish religious music}}
{{Contemporary Jewish religious music}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Helfgot, Yitzchak Meir}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helfgot, Yitzchak Meir}}
Line 40: Line 54:
[[Category:Israeli Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:Israeli Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:American Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:American Orthodox Jews]]
[[Category:People from Borough Park, Brooklyn]]

{{Israel-musician-stub}}
{{Judaism-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 17:48, 5 November 2024

Yitzchak Meir Helfgot
Helfgot in 2006
Helfgot in 2006
Background information
Born (1969-01-01) January 1, 1969 (age 56)
Bnei Brak, Israel
Occupationcantor
Years active2002–present
LabelsSony Music
Websitecantorhelfgot.com

Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot (Hebrew: יצחק מאיר הלפגוט, Yiddish: יצחק מאיר העלפגאט) is an Israeli-born Hasidic Orthodox Jewish cantor, known for his vocal dexterity and range. Like some operatic tenors he is capable of sustaining long passages in the difficult uppermost tessitura, while also possessing overt technical facility in executing ornate melismas.

Career

[edit]

In addition to having held several prestigious cantorial posts in Europe and the United States, Helfgot has performed in concerts all over the world. In December 2006, under the auspices of Cantors World, he performed a solo concert at the Metropolitan Opera House with the New York Philharmonic directed by Mordechai Sobol. In January 2007, he sang in Madison Square Garden to an audience of 30,000 at a Siyum HaShas. In December 2007, he performed at Lincoln Center in Avery Fisher Hall, again accompanied by the New York Philharmonic, in a tribute to Cantor Moshe Koussevitzky. He shared a stage with Cantor Shimon Farkas of Central Synagogue in Sydney, Australia, Cantor Yehuda Niassof, and rock star Jimmy Barnes in August 2009. In December 2010, he performed at the White House during a Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony. He has also performed in distinguished venues, synagogues and concert halls in almost every European city and the world over, including the Warsaw Opera House in Poland, Henry Crown Hall in Jerusalem and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

His solo albums, recorded with a renowned authority on cantorial music, Dr. Mordechai Sobol, led to popular success. Despite the bombast of the musical arrangements, the vocal quality harks back to the golden age of chazzanut, where legendary Jewish cantors like Yossele Rosenblatt and Moshe Koussevitsky produced albums that featured both devotional prayers and traditional Jewish folk songs.

In 2012, Helfgot broke new ground with the unprecedented collaboration between a cantor and a world-class classical musician. Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman spearheaded a project with Sony to record sophisticated new arrangements of famous cantorial pieces, reworked to include a dual focus on the voice and violin. The music director for this project was Hankus Netsky, and the conductor was Australian-born Russell Ger. A promotional tour with this assembled team saw sold-out performances at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Boston's Symphony Hall, Long Island's Tilles Performing Arts Center, Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall, and a crowd of 15,000 at the Hollywood Bowl. A Public Broadcasting Service special titled "Rejoice" was also filmed in New York City in late 2013, and further performances took place at the Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton and the Ravinia Festival.

Helfgot is chief cantor of the Park East Synagogue in New York City.[1]

Discography

[edit]

Solo albums

[edit]
  • Borchi Nafshi (2002)
  • Habet (2004)
  • Avot (2005)
  • Mevaser Tov (2007)
  • Helfgot 5 (2015)

Collaborations

[edit]
  • Shirat Yisrael (2006) with Chaim Eliezer Hershtik & Israel Rand
  • Eternal Echoes (2012) with Itzhak Perlman

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Park East Synagogue". Park East Synagogue. 1930-03-20. Retrieved 2013-08-18.[dead link‍]
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Yitzchak_Meir_Helfgot&oldid=1255581593"