Gershon Sirota

“Sirota was the greatest cantor in the world...” according to Alan Dershowitz. Although there may be a few who disagree with him, there is no question that Sirota’s name can be placed very high on the list of cantorial superstars of the last century. His remarkable voice, lyrical talent and fame often resulted in his being called the “Jewish Caruso.” This comparison to the legendary 20th century opera and recording star, Enrico Caruso, must be acknowledged as high praise indeed.

Sirota began his career as a cantor in Odessa. His strong and beautiful voice earned him a place in Vilna’s Shtatshul where he began his lengthy and successful collaboration with choirmaster Leo Lowe. In 1907 Sirota was invited to occupy the position of Obercantor (head cantor) at the Great Synagogue of Warsaw (Tlomacki) where he officiated for the next 19 years. During these years, services at the Tlomacki Synagogue became major musical events. Thousands of people wanted to hear the incredible voice of Cantor Sirota together with Leo Lowe’s music and choir.

As his fame spread, he traveled on concert tours all around Europe, and on February 14, 1912 he made his NYC debut at a fully-packed Carnegie Hall.

Although Cantor Sirota achieved great fame and prominence, he always remained a kind and generous man. Along with millions of others who lived in Warsaw at the outbreak of World War II, he was forced into the Warsaw ghetto. Yet, because of his wide-spread fame, he was given an opportunity few others had.  He was given permission to leave by the Nazis.

It was a terrible choice, but in the end, this great man could not turn away from his family and his people. He chose to stay with those he loved. Sadly, he and his entire family perished during the 1943 uprising.

 

These recordings were produced prior to 1923 and are in the public domain.


Total: 104

75 Minutes with Joseph Shlisky & Gerson Sirota
A Bis'l Taam (A Little Flavor)
Adoin Oilom
Adoin Oilom
Adom Olom/Ahavas Olom
Ail Mole Rachmim; Haben Jakerle
Aw Horachmim
B'rosh Hashanah Yikoseyvun; Hayom Haras Oylom
Birchos Kohanim
Birchos Kohanim; Aw Horachmim [Av Harachamim]
Broisch Haschoni (B'rosh HaShannah)
Broish Haschonu ikuseiwin [B'rosh Hashanah Ye'ko't...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1902-...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1906-...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1908)...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1908)...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1908)...
Cantor Gershon Sirota - European Recordings (1909)...
Cantor Gerson Sirota Sabbath in Warsaw
Cantorial Gems
Cantorial Gems
Cantorial Gems - Volume 2
Cantorial Gems - Volume 2
Cantorial Gems - Volume 3
Chazanim and Chazanut - Cantors and Cantorials
Concert with the Great Cantors
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Eil Molei Rachmim
Eil Molei Rachmim
Gershon Sirota Sings a Holiday Service - Volume 1
Golden Voices of the Synagogue
Great Cantors of the Past - Volume 1
Great Odessa Cantors
Great Synagogue Composers, Vol. VIII
Great Voices of Israel
Great Voices of the Synagogue
Habein Jakir Li
Habein Jakir Li; Weseorew Olecho Solo
Haben Jakerle/Adonoj Adonoj (Adoszem)
Haben jakir li
Hajojm horas oilom
Halbein Chatoeinu
Hamchadeisch b'tuwoj
Haneroth Halelu
High Holidays Music Mix
Himoze Lopu
I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
In the Synagogue with the Great Cantors Series, Vo...
In The Synagogue with the Great Cantors Series, Vo...
In The Synagogue with the Great Cantors Series, Vo...
Iru Eineinu
Ismucho wemalch uscho
Jaale
Jaale
Jaale
Jhi rozenjn Schetsehadeisch olenu
Jhi rozenjn Schetsehadeisch olenu/Kol Nidrei
Kawokores Rohe Adre
Kedusho Mimkaumcho
Kodosh Atoh/Veseorev Lefonecho
Kwojdas Molei ojlom
Lo-Omus from Halel
Mi scheosso nissim
Mimkoimoi hu jifen
Mimkomcho Malkeinu (fun Kedushe)
Musical Favorites Commemorating Israel's 25th Anni...
Mysteries of the Sabbath - Classic Cantorial Recor...
Odom Yasoido Meator (sic) [Meafor]
Oomipneh Chatoeinu
Rare Cantorial Gems
Rĕzei
Rĕzei
Rezei wennhoseinu [Retsey bimnukhoseynu]
Rezei Wimnuchoseinu
Rzei
Rzei/Odon Jsedo Meofor
Schlosch eschrei midos; Kduscho Mimkoimecho
Schlosch Esrei Midoisch?
Shomoh Vatismach Zion
Sirota Sings Again
Socharti Loch
Ten Great Cantors
The Art of Cantor Gershon Sirota, Volume 2
The Golden Age of Cantors
The Great Cantors
Tzadik Katamar Yifrakh
Umipei chatoënu
Umipnei Chatoeinu/V'Shomru
Umipnei Chatueinu
Umsanei teikef
Umsanei Teikef
Unsane Toikef
Unsaneh Toikef
Unsanye Toykef
V'chulom M'kablim Aliehem
V'te'eray Eilecha
W'nemar loi hibit owoja
Weseeraw olecho
Weseeraw Olecho
Weseeraw olecho
Wschomru
Yaleh Takhnuneynu: R'tze Vimnuchoseinu
Yiddish: New York - paris - Varsovie 1910-1940 - D...
Zur Isroeil/Uwnuchoj Jomar