Description

MANFRED LEWANDOWSKI (HAMBURG, 1 SEPTEMBER 1895 – PHILADELPHIA, 8 SEPTEMBER 1970)

Born in Hamburg, Lewandowski came from a Jewish cantorial family. He was the great-nephew of Louis Lewandowski, the innovator of synagogue music in 19th century Germany, and was trained first by his father, then at the Vogt Conservatory; his vocal subject was the baritone. He performed as a synagogue singer at an early age. From 1921 to 1923 he was head cantor in Königsberg (East Prussia), from 1923 to 1928 at the Synagoge „Friedenstempel“ Halensee in Berlin-Halensee and from 1928 to 1938 head cantor at the Synagoge Lindenstraße in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

In addition to this activity in the field of Jewish liturgical singing, he was also a regular guest on the Funk-Stunde Berlin [de] after the introduction of radio in Germany from 1924, where he performed synagogue songs on the microphone in addition to the classical repertoire. He also performed opera arias and songs on other radio stations in Germany.

During this time he also made numerous recordings on Electrola, Odeon and Homocord, including opera scenes (including duets with Hans Heinz Bollmann), songs and Jewish liturgical music. On Homocord [de], the organist Franz Doll and the pianist and Kapellmeister Dr. Felix Günther were his accompanists.

In the summer of 1938, he emigrated to France and from there to North America in 1939. He worked here as cantor at a New York synagogue 1939–1940, in Philadelphia 1940–1948, but continued to perform in synagogues until 1965.

In the US, he recorded religious music again in 1940 on the American Vox ‘label’. He was also active as a composer, especially in the field of synagogue singing.

Lewandowski died in Philadelphia at the age of 75 and found his final resting place at Montefiore Cemetery, 600 Church Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. where he died at the age of 75.

TRACKLIST

1. An der Weser (Gustav Pressel) Homocord 4-8842 52313
2. Arioso (G. F. Händel) Homocord 4-8764 52114
3. Atlanta (G. F. Händel) Care selve Homocord 4-8794 52176
4. Caro mio ben (Giordani) Homocord 4-8794 52175
5. Der Wanderer (Fr. Schubert) Homocord 4-8880 52420
6. Die Perlenfischer (G. Bizet) Duett Der Tempel Brahmas strahlt (w. Heinz Bollmann) Homocord 4-8907 52483
7. Du bist die Ruh’ (Fr. Schubert) Homocord 4-8880 52421
8. Kaddisch (Maurice Ravel) Homocord 4-8799 52198
9. Kol Nidrei (L. Lewandowski) Homocord 4-8799 52197
10. Largo (G. F. Händel) Homocord 4-8764 52115
11. Meine Lust ist Leben!  (Wilh. Kienzl) Homocord 4-8879 52411
12. O lass’ dich halten, gold’ne Stunde (A. Jensen) Homocord 4-8843 52310
13. Still wie die Nacht (Carl Bohm) Homocord 4-8843 52312
14. Winterlied (Henning von Koss) Homocord 4-8842 52311
15. Wo du hingehst Kavatine (Louis Roessel) Homocord 4-8879 52412