The 3,500 original manuscripts of David Nowakowsky 19th century composer of synagogue music, have been presented to the School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Dr. Nelson Glueck, president of HUC-JIR, announced here this week-end. The presentation was made by David and Jack Novak, sons of the late composer.
An editorial committee from the School of Sacred Music and other leaders in the field of Jewish music will select and supervise publication of the manuscripts, most of which have never before been published. They will be published by the school on a subscription basis.
The manuscripts were protected from the Nazis by a daughter of the composer who brought them from Odessa to Germany, then occupied France and, finally, to the sons in New York. Nowakowsky, who was born in Russia in 1849 and died in Odessa in 1921 became choirmaster of the Broder Synagogue in Odessa when he was 21 and held the post for half a century. His compositions became world famous and visitors from all over Europe came to the synagogue to hear them sung by the cantor Pinchas Minkowsky.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
