New! Review by MacJams.com moderator, Tobin Mueller.
New! Review by Teruah-Jewish Music blogger, Jack Zaientz.
Reviews from CDBaby.com:
“...what a collection of innovative melodies both traditional in style and eclectic...”
“...a well balanced variety of inspirational choral and solo compositions...”
“The range of texts the boldness of the interpretations and the beauty of the renditions are all helping to point the way forward for recordings of Jewish liturgical music.”
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
Recording of this release began in October, 2007, with the Amor Artis Chamber Choir conducted by Johannes Somary. Christopher Creaghan is featured as organist, and along with Cantor Erik Contzius are many talented voices including:
❖Max Abrams
❖Melissa Chananie
❖Cantor Hayley Kobilinsky
❖the Kol Simkha Youth Choir of Temple Israel of New Rochelle
❖Emma Kravitz
❖Jacob Meiner
❖Cantor Helene Reps
❖Rita Rosen
❖Cyndi Richards
❖Samantha Spiegel
❖Michael Steinberger
❖Jacob Weingast
The brilliant recording engineering and mixing was done by Jon Altschiller of Chillersound in New York City.
This recording is a production of Temple Israel
of New Rochelle. All proceeds go to the Temple Israel Music Fund to foster music programming at the synagogue.
Produced by Erik Contzius & Jon Altschiller
TEMPLE ISRAEL OF NEW ROCHELLE (established in 1908) has enjoyed a century of serving the Reform Jewish community of New Rochelle and the greater Westchester County. Our synagogue takes great pride in its past musical traditions including a Men’s Glee Club and a Sisterhood choir. We create new traditions today through our choirs, both professional and volunteer, our organist, an annual “Azkara Service” for the Holy Days with dramatic musical settings and narrations, an annual “Temple Follies,” and a youth choir on the pulpit on a regular basis. There are so many ways that music is an integral part of the identity of our synagogue family.
Temple Israel of New Rochelle has a rich history of cantors. As a cantorial student in 1951, Cantor Harold Orbach was the first to hold the role. Since that time, Cantors Sumner Crockett, Helene Reps, and Alaine Katzew have served the Temple well. As the present Cantor of Temple Israel of New Rochelle, I am in the position of upholding a legacy of very talented and well-respected colleagues.
This recording was made to share my personal musical vision for the synagogue. I am privileged to work for a congregation that is receptive to the music I write and where my music is used in prayer on a regular basis. It gives me joy when we raise our voices together to give glory to the Divine.
I believe music is an offering we have as Jews to give up to the Divine. It is a source of inspiration, celebration, and devotion. The core essence of prayer is to reach deep within, and to strive to reach beyond. Music has this power.
