An Evening with Israel Alter

Dr. Peter Schulze, Lecture
North German Synagogal Choir under the direction of Martin Lüssenhop

Israel Alter (1901-1979) was head cantor in Hanover. Even during his lifetime, he was considered “the first of the chasanim, the cantor of cantors.” For ten years, from 1925 to 1935, he shaped the services in the Hanover New Synagogue, with “the outstanding gifts of his voice and spirit,” as Landrabbiner Freund said at Alter’s farewell in August 1935. Jewish life in Hanover also received strong impulses through Alter’s appearances outside the synagogue, through his participation in anniversaries, concerts, funerals and memorial services. From today’s perspective, Israel Alter is a legendary figure in the world of synagogue liturgical singing.

In his lecture, Peter Schulze illuminates the Hanoverian period of the great cantor and provides insights into the life and work of Israel Alter in connection with the Jewish community of Hanover until 1935.

The North German Synagogal Choir will frame the lecture with original settings of Alters.
The event will also feature historic recordings of Israel Alter from his time in Hanover.

As a “special guest” we welcome Cantor Benjamin Maissner, the nephew of Israel Alter and look forward to talking with him and to more.

The North German Synagogal Choir grew out of the original European Synagogal Choir, which was dedicated to the performance of sacred Jewish music. Since its foundation in 2009, the choir has given over a hundred concerts in Germany and other European countries.

 

With the kind support of:

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