Josef Goldstein

Josef Goldstein (March 27, 1836 _/or 1837 _/1838 _, Kecskemét, Hungary - June 17, 1899 _/or 1901 _, Vienna) was a 19c. Hungarian-Austrian Jewish cantor (chazzan) and composer. He occupied the position of chief cantor at the Leopoldstädter Tempel, the largest synagogue in Vienna, for 40 years.

He was one of the 10 children of "Shmelke Hazzan" of Neutra (, now Slovakia), who died when Joseph was but 11. At the age of 12 (c.1848) he was so well acquainted with the liturgy and possessed such a phenomenal tenor voice that the congregation of Neutra elected him as his father's successor.

He remained there for 2 years, and then made a 4 years' tour through Austria and Germany (1852-1854, cantor at Neusatz (Újvidék, Novi Sad); 1855-1899, cantor at Vienna), officiating in some of the largest congregations. Upon his return an admirer of his voice sent him to Vienna to be educated for the stage. On the completion of his course, and when about to enter upon his first engagement in Florence, he decided to return to the position of cantor, and received an appointment at the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna in 1857, retaining the position until his death. He became the chief cantor () of the Leopoldstädter Tempel since 1858.

Musical works

• Schire Jeschurun (, also Shire Yeshurun), Vienna, 1862/1865), a collection of songs for the Sabbath and festival service
• a requiem, 1892
• a collection of "Festgesänge"

Discographies

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References

• ([]), by Isidore Singer, Alois Kaiser ([])

Bibliographies of the Jewish Encyclopedia

• "Die Neuzeit"
• "Ungarische Cantorenzeitung", June, 1899

External links

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Category: Hazzans Category: Viennese hazzans Category: Hungarian Jews Category: Hungarian-Austrian Jews Category: people from Kecskemét Category: 1836 births Category: 1837 births Category: 1899 deaths Category: 1901 deaths