Re: Hazanim in NYC w/ tradl Nusach

[Jonathan Zimet <jdz...>]

      Nice discussion from many people; thank you.
      Note that my interest is not in finding good "Hazanus"  (note the 
connotation of the ashkenazic) -- meaning great performers or people 
singing great compositions.    (Tho Lefkowitz might be worthwhile -- if one 
could get in to PAS at this late time.)
      I'm more interested in shuls or shteibels where an old-timer (or 
someone who has learned from one) knows the nusach they did in any given 
community in Europe -- (Note that, esp for the high Holidays,  there is not 
just one "nusach",  but many variants according to region and maybe other 
factors.  Obviously a lot that is sung nowadays is not "nusach" -- meaning 
they mix things from Shabbat, or create new melodies [which have their own 
potential virtues, spiritually, but that's not my quest at the moment]. )
      But to learn/hear, for example, a Galitzianer approach to Selihot, or 
Avodah, or Neilah, etc., or  a Litvak, or Polish (maybe many different 
sub-comunities in Poland).   Doesn't matter if the guy's voice is raspy (as 
long as one can make out the notes) -- get the drift?
      Obviously only people who have lived or attended in NY are likely to 
know this stuff (for this particular YK -- for other purposes, such as 
interviewing people in the future, any knowledge of such people in any 
community is welcome).
      But any info for the immediate "task at hand" coming in 6 
days,  thanks.
      Jonathan

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "jonathan gordon" <jbgordon (at) cloud9(dot)net>   (& others)
>
> > I wonder where one would go to hear a great High Holiday Service from a 
> musical/Nuschaot/ Chazzones point of view.    . . . .
> > The Orthodox Chazzanim I have spoken with tell me that everybody wants 
> Carlbach, period. I wonder if that is true.
> > So, one might turn to Conservative Synagogues for traditional, rich Nusach.
> > I know that David Lefkowitz at Park Avenue is a wonderful singer with a
> > commitment to Nusach and also the Choral Music of Novakowski as well as
> > other great 19th Century Jewish Synagogue Composers.  He used to have a 
> very
> > gifted Organist there, as well, who may still be there.  Jack Mendelsohn is
> > at Temple Israel in White Plains, and he is a major exponent of Chazzones.