Cantor's Pick of the Week - Monday, December 12, 2022

Monday, December 12, 2022

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Cantor's Pick of the Week

Drei, Dreidlele/ Spin, Little Top

From the album, Chanukah Party, released in 1950

Performed by Moishe Oysher

(1906-1958)

Lyrics by Moishe Oysher,

Music by D. Beygelman

Want to really see me smile AND blush? There are three names that have that effect on me; Moishe Oysher, Tom Sellick and Pierce Brosnan. Ok, even a middle aged woman can also have her heart throbs!

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, the fabulously talented 6th generation Cantor, Moishe Oysher, was one of the most adored Cantors of his generation and his recordings continue to be appreciated due to his rich, powerful voice and his one of a kind creative arrangements.

Born in Bessarabia (modern day Moldava including a small piece of Ukraine) he started studying acting and singing as a boy before he immigrated to Canada following in his father’s footsteps. As a young man, he soon began playing in Yiddish Theater and Operettas in the Canadian Jewish communities, then in the United States. He eventually founded his own troupe and performed in Buenos Aries, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Beginning in the 1930’s, he began working as the Cantor of the First Rumanian-American Congregation in the Lower East Side, which caused quite a stir in the Orthodox community, as he was the first singer to step from the stage to the bimah. There were those in the past who went from the Cantorate to the stage, but none the other way around.

He continued thereafter working in both venues, on the bimah and on the stage and screen, which was viewed as scandalous by some of the more discerning Jews of the time. Ah, scandalous or not, he was beloved by am’cha Yisroel (The People Israel) for his voice and davening (prayer chant) fireworks. And the Jews in the pews, well, they knew what THEY wanted!

Some say that Oysher's voice was like the roaring of the lion. He liked to incorporate what was called the “jazz style,” popular at that time, using rhythmic melodies in his settings, yet always respecting the traditional Bessarabian "doinas" and "nussach" modes of the prayers. In other words, his vocal sound and style remained in the traditions of the Bessarabian region with its plaintive cries, voice cracking, added ornamental scatting of syllables and the exotic sounds of the Bessarabian modal scales. Or…..good old-fashioned Jewish music!

Oysher, who was remarkably handsome and exuded swag (stylish confidence/swagger) also became an international recording artist and a Yiddish film star. I hope one day soon to be able to share with you a sample and some impressions from the wonderful Moishe Oysher movies created for the throngs of Yiddish speaking audiences of days long gone.

Cantor Moshe Oysher- Drei Dreidel Yiddish

Translation of Drei, Dreidlele/Spin, Little Top

Oh, bring me bread and bring me wine,

Let the happy smiles shine.

I got pancakes and the fish,

That is all that I can wish.

All the blessings have been said,

The menorah’s shine has spread.

A thousand suns shines from one flame,

Jewish pride’s here to proclaim.

Spin, top, make me a winner.

Comes the week of Hanukkah - I’m a lucky winner. 2X

Every candle says a lot,

Who I am and whom I’m not.

The menorah shines for others,

All the people are my brothers.

Make the doubters see clear,

So that they should not sneer.

The Lord has heard our lament,

And a great miracle has been sent.

Spin, top, to make me a winner.

Comes the week of Hanukkah - I’m a lucky winner. 2X

Who has fought to be right

By the miracle of light?

It will burn for a thousand years,

Bringing all the joy and cheers.

Bring in even our foes,

Scare them but spare them woes.

Oh, bring me bread and bring me wine,

Let the happy smiles shine.

Spin, top, to make me a winner.

Comes the week of Hanukkah - I’m a lucky winner. 2X

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Cantor’s Pick of the inimitable, powerful, fast-paced delivery of Drei, Dreidele, by Moishe Oysher. Email any comments or questions to cantor.frank@shirshalombuffalo.org. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for spending this time with me.

Cantor Arlene Frank