Samuel Weltsch (September 12, 1835 – August 5, 1901) was a

Bohemian Bohemian or Bohemians may refer to: *Anything of or relating to Bohemia Beer * National Bohemian, a brand brewed by Pabst * Bohemian, a brand of beer brewed by Molson Coors Culture and arts * Bohemianism, an unconventional lifestyle, origin ...

'' ḥazzan'' and composer.

Biography

Samuel Weltsch was born in

Prague Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate ...

into a family of ''ḥazzanim''. He early entered the profession, and became cantor of the Maisel Synagogue at Prague while quite a young man. He received his musical education at the Prague Conservatory of Music. In 1865 he received a call from the Ahawath Chesed Congregation in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, and remained its cantor until 1880, when he resigned the position in order to return to his native city. During his stay in New York he was active in improving the musical service of the American synagogue. Weltsch was one of the collaborators on the first three volumes of the ''Zimrat Yah'', a fourth volume of which was later added by

Alois Kaiser Alois Kaiser (November 10, 1840 - 1908) was an American ''chazzan'' and composer, considered to be the founder of the American cantorate. Kaiser was born in Szobotist ( sk, Sobotište), Hungary. He received his early education in the religious ...

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, containing music for all the seasons of the year. In addition he published

Psalm 93 Psalm 93 is the 93rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty". The Latin wording is Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est.

with German words for solo and chorus, and ''Todtenfeier'', two hymns for the memorial service. He was a prominent member of

B'nai B'rith B'nai B'rith International (, from he, בְּנֵי בְּרִית, translit=b'né brit, lit=Children of the Covenant) is a Jewish service organization. B'nai B'rith states that it is committed to the security and continuity of the Jewish peopl ...

and took great interest in communal affairs in Prague, being the leading spirit in various charitable and educational organizations.

Publications

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weltsch, Samuel 1835 births 1901 deaths 19th-century Austrian Jews 19th-century composers Jews from Austria-Hungary Jews from Bohemia Czech Jews Hazzans Jewish composers People from Prague Emigrants from the Austrian Empire to the United States Prague Conservatory alumni