Lazar Weiner, a composer of hundreds of Yiddish art songs and liturgical music, cantatas and operas, including “The Golem,” died here Sunday after a short illness at the age of 84.
A music teacher as well as a composer, Weiner was born in Cherkass, Russia, a small town near Kiev, and came to the United States in 1914. He taught seminars in the Yiddish art song at the Hebrew Union College, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the 92nd Street Y.
Weiner served as music director of the Central Synagogue for 44 years and directed the Workmen’s Circle chorus. He was also honorary vice chairman of the JWB Jewish Music Council and for many years he was host of the weekly radio broadcast “The Message of Israel.”
Weiner was regarded as the greatest exponent in the country of the Yiddish art song and as one who sought in his music to convey and preserve the accomplishments of Yiddish culture. Among his famous songs are “Nigun” and “Dos Gold fun Deine Oigen” (The Gold of Your Eyes”).
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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.
