The Concert of the Century

This is the promotional advertisement for the "Concert of the Century" that took place at the Second Avenue Theater in New York City celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of the Choir Leaders Association.  Pictured are: Cantors Moshe Koussevitsky, David Koussevitsky, Ben-Zion Kapov-Kagan, Pierre Pinchik, Berele Chagy, Leibele Waldman, Yosef Edelson and Moshe Oysher.

The Choir Leaders pictured are: Ben Friedman, Max Pincus, Samuel Sterner, Louis Friedman, Herman Zalis, Reuven Kazimirsky and Meyer Machtenberg. Needless to say, this was a big treat for all lovers of Chazzanut. I know of two books that were written about this concert.  Incidentally, Cantors Chagy and Pinchik did not show up.

Avraham Ovenu

A Yiddish talking picture, released in 1933.

Yiddish Folk Songs

There were very few Cantors who were able to make the transition from hazzanut to the Yiddish folk song.  My father was one of the very few able to accomplish this with great success.  As a “shaliach tzibbur", one must concentrate on the t’filah, using unique skills to interpret the sacred words.  With folk songs, one becomes more of a storyteller, conveying the tale with drama and personality.  My father moved easily between these two distinct areas, and as a result, greatly enhancing his position in the world of Jewish Music and in the hearts of Jewish Music lovers.

To listen to some samples, select the link.

Two Theater Posters

In my father’s biography, mention is made of the twelve Yiddish movies (“Jewish talkies”)
in which he appeared from 1932 to 1941.  Below are the photos of the original theater posters
that advertised two of the twelve films, namely, “The Seder Feast” and “The Eternal Jew”.
 
Many Waldman fans who had heard him davin and listened to him on the radio
were eager to see him on the screen. These movies were shown all over the world and enhanced his popularity dramatically.

The Feast of Passover - 1931

The Eternal Jew - 1933