In the tradition of the famous Three Tenors, a trio of New York-based cantors—Yaakov Lemmer of the Lincoln Square Synagogue, Azi Schwartz of the Park Avenue Synagogue, and Netanel Hershtik of the Hampton Synagogue—have joined forces to offer concerts of sacred songs and more secular pieces. In this PBS-aired concert recorded at Amsterdam’s 17th-century Sephardic Portuguese Synagogue in December 2017, the singers are backed by Jules van Hessen’s orchestra and chorus. The 12-song setlist ranges from Shabbat songs like "Kol nidre" to traditional Jewish pieces such as "Ose shalom," with an occasional side trip to contemporary melodies (Josh Groban’s "The Bells of New York City" and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Close Every Door"), giving each of the cantors the opportunity to shine as a soloist while also displaying their ability to harmonize as a group. In honor of the location, a medley of Sephardic songs is included (with helpful subtitles). The setting is beautiful and the performances are exceptional (the men’s voices have distinctive timbres, but each is remarkably clear and supple). Presented in stereo, extras include two bonus songs. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
The New York Cantors
(2018) 55 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. ISBN: 978-1-5317-0468-1. Volume 33, Issue 5
The New York Cantors
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