Yigal Calek - Sings Children of Silence скачать в хорошем качестве

Yigal Calek - Sings Children of Silence

The internationally acclaimed founder and director of the London School of Jewish Song, Yigal Calek passed away during the festival of Sukkot, aged 80. Born in 1944 in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Calek was one of four children in a family that fled Poland’s pervasive antisemitism. In the 1950s, seeking a more secure Orthodox Jewish life, the family relocated to the UK and moved to London’s Stamford Hill. From an early age, Calek was recognised for his extraordinary creativity and magnetic charisma, qualities that would shape his future as a transformative figure in Jewish music and education. Calek’s journey in music and education began as a young student at Gateshead Yeshiva in the 1960s. His passion for the arts became evident as he organized choirs and theatrical productions, captivating audiences with imaginative retellings of biblical stories. His innovative approach breathed new life into these narratives, making them accessible and engaging for a post-Holocaust generation yearning for connection and inspiration. Internationally renowned for the songs he composed and the boys’ choirs he nurtured, Calek was fundamentally an educator who infused fervor and aspiration into Jewish life. Rather than adhering to conventional disciplinary roles, he gathered students around a piano, creating an atmosphere of musical excitement and joy. His first recording at North West London Jewish Day School, aptly titled “Et Lashir” (A Time to Sing), encapsulated his mission to inspire a generation that had been distanced from outwardly expressive religious fervour and passion. Calek’s innovative spirit revolutionized Jewish music, traditionally dominated by chazanut, klezmer, and choral genres. He composed original melodies that brought to life long-dormant biblical tales, organising ensembles of young boys in vibrant uniforms who performed harmonies and choreography that enhanced the meaning of each song. This groundbreaking approach resonated profoundly within the conservative Anglo-Jewish community, offering a fresh perspective on Jewish music. A deeply religious man, Calek’s raison d'être was to foster a love for Torah and Jewish traditions among his students and audiences worldwide. He created an inclusive environment, training boys from diverse backgrounds — ranging from non-observant to Charedi families — into a unified choir that reflected the richness of the Jewish experience. His repertoire included songs with English lyrics, like “Children of Silence,” which highlighted the plight of incarcerated Jews in Soviet Russia during the 1970s, as well as Chassidic nigunim and modern Israeli tunes.