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Leible Glantz

Leible Glantz was born in 1898 in the city of Kiev. His father, Reb Kalman, was the Chazzan of the Talanic Chassidic shul. His grandfathers on both sides were also Chazzanim. At the age of eight, Leible was already leading services in his father¹s shul. Years later, he became the choir conductor, as well. One important aspect of Glantz¹s art was that he would only daven with a choir. He loved the Chazzanut with his mind and soul. He always declared, "I am not only a Chazzan I am in love with the Chazzanut”

In his compositions he was able to blend traditional Chassidic nussach -- the mode of davening -- into a modern art song setting successfully. The result was unique and stylish. He possessed a tenor voice, rare in its beauty, powerful yet flexible. His voice allowed him to become the interpreter of his own compositions, and to give expression to the whole wide spectrum of feelings and ideas that are in the words of our prayers. This wonderful matching of word to sound that brings our prayers to the understanding and to the heart of the listener is typical of Glantz's style.

Coming to America in 1926, he soon emerged as a performer and theoretician of synagogue music, using this knowledge in compositions and improvisations that exhibited an innovation bordering on the avant-garde. Reactions among his listeners alternated between admiration and puzzlement. Unfazed by such uneven reception to his art, he was quoted as saying, “I don’t perform for the audience; I perform for myself.” His career as a “Golden Age” cantor was unusual and forward-looking also in that he eventually began championing the “Israeli” pronunciation of the Hebrew prayers.

His last decade was spent in Israel, He made Aliya in 1954 where he officiated, concertised, and started a school for cantors. Chazzan Glantz passed away in Tel Aviv in 1964.

With thanks to Cantor Gershon E. Levin and Cantor Sam Weiss