“A Chazndel Oif Shabbos” New Music Video By Meir Goldberg

30 Jul, 2015 by yossi

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Meir Goldberg continues to breathe new life into the classics of yesteryear updated for a new generation, this time taking on “A Chazandel Oif Shabbos,” previously sung by Jan Peerce and other cantoral greats.

“A Chazandel Oif Shabbos” tells the story of a cantor visiting a town for Shabbos, and the three most prominent men in the town: a tailor, a blacksmith and a wagon driver, insist on having the chazzan audition for them prior to letting him lead services. Each of the three gives the cantor rave reviews in their own vernacular, comparing his performance favorably to the sounds of their own profession.

Goldberg, the son of a cantor, manages to simultaneously convey the artistry and the irony of “A Chazndel Oif Shabbos,” giving a contemporary twist to of this much-loved Yiddish gem in a brand new music video. Shot on location in New York City’s Bryant Park, Chinatown and downtown Brooklyn, Goldberg once again manages to capture the flavor of the original composition but with a modern context that imbues it with a new layer of irony.

For Goldberg, “A Chazandel Oif Shabbos,” is a rare view into the life of the chazzan.

“It is a comical look at the life of a chazzan and what we cantors go through before getting a gig,” explained Goldberg. “We sing our souls out hoping to connect our audience.” Goldberg describes the song as comical, with a satiric twist. “I heard it one day and knew I had to sing it,” said Goldberg.

“A Chazandel Oif Shabbos” is a Sparks Next production, directed by Daniel Finkelman with music and arrangements by Yaron Gershovsky.