Internationally-renowned cantor Joseph Malovany, who has performed before countless heads of state and every Israeli prime minister since Golda Meir, is appearing at The Western Marble Arch Synagogue at a one-off concert in aid of Norwood.
Cantor Malovany, the chazzan of New York's famous Fifth Avenue Synagogue, will sing a variety of traditional Jewish liturgical pieces at the fundraising event on Saturday, 28 November. It follows his appearance at a similar event three years ago, which raised more than £15,000 for Norwood.
“I am most delighted and excited to return to London to present this great concert at the elegant Western Marble Arch Synagogue and raise vital funds for Norwood,” he said. “I would like to invite the whole of London Jewry and the general public to come and enjoy the finest in Jewish music.”
Cantor Malovany, an Israeli-born American tenor who has been dubbed the ‘Pavarotti of the synagogues’, has described his job as ‘talking to G_d on a daily basis’. His life as a singer began at an early age after his parents enrolled him at the Bilu Synagogue School. By the age of seven he was a member of the Bilu Synagogue Choir, by 12 he became its director, and by 16 he was leading the High Holiday services. This kick-started an illustrious career spanning more than four decades during which he has performed to critical acclaim at dozens of opera houses, concert halls and synagogues.
Cantor Malovany is now Distinguished Professor of Liturgical Music at the Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music at New York’s Yeshiva University. He has dedicated himself to promoting Judaism and Jewish traditions throughout the world, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia.
“G_d gave me the gift of a voice and I will use that voice to serve Him,” he said in a recent interview. “I want to show the beauty of Judaism through its music to the entire world.”
To this aim he founded the World Jewish Music Foundation and helped establish the Moscow Academy of Jewish Music, which he deems the highlight of his career. His tireless efforts have been recognised with several major honours, including Poland’s equivalent of the knighthood, the Commander of the Legion of Honor, which he received in 2004 for his musical contribution to the international and Polish communities, and UNESCO’s International Award for Tolerance. In December, he will also become the first person in 125 years to be awarded with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Yeshiva University.
During the concert, he will be accompanied by The Western Choir, which was founded by Colin Jacque and is made up of former members of the London Jewish Male Choir, and a children’s choir. The evening, generously supported by The Western Marble Arch Synagogue, will raise vital funds for Norwood, which provides support to thousands of people with learning disabilities and children and families in need. The main sponsor of the event is Leon Schaller OBE and family in memory of Freda Schaller.
‘Cantor Joseph Malovany – An Evening of Song’ takes place on Saturday, 28 November at The Western Marble Arch Synagogue, 32 Great Cumberland Place, London, W1H 7TN. Tickets cost £25 and are only available in advance (separate seating available). Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The evening will finish at 10.15pm. For more information and to book tickets, contact Gemma Wolfson on 020 8420 6829, e-mail gemma.wolfson@norwood.org.uk, or visit www.norwood.org.uk/concert
