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for the Conference
"The Art of Synagogue Music"
November 12-14, 2006
New York City
Biography of Charles Davidson
Composer Contact:
Email: box1212@aol.com
Born in Pittsburgh on September 8, 1929, Charles Davidson is one of the most frequently commissioned composers by synagogues, cantors, and Jewish organizations, as well as by general secular choruses across America. He was one of the first graduates of the Jewish Theological Seminary's Cantors Institute (now the H. L. Miller Cantorial School), where he later also received his doctorate in sacred music and where he has served on the faculty since 1977 (now Nathan Cummings Professor). Prior to his formal cantorial
training at the Seminary, he was a student at the unique Brandeis Arts Institute.
Davidson's monumental I Never Saw Another Butterfly, a setting of children's poetry from the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia (where only 100 of the 15,000 imprisoned children survived), is unquestionably his best known and most celebrated work. It has been performed throughout the world (more than 2,500 performances) to consistent critical acclaim and is featured on no fewer than eight commercial recordings. It is also the subject of two award-winning PBS documentaries: The Journey of Butterfly and Butterfly Revisited.
Davidson is a highly prolific composer and arranger. His catalogue contains more than three hundred works: including dozens of synagogue pieces, songs, choral cantatas, entire services, Psalm settings, musical plays, theatrical children's presentations, instrumental pieces, and a one-act opera based on Isaac Bashevis Singer's story Gimpel the Fool.
Cantor Davidson is the editor of Gates of Song, a collection of congregational melodies and hymns, author of the book From Szatmar to the New World: Max Wohlberg-- American Cantor, and author of several cantorial textbooks. He served with distinction as hazzan of Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, from 1966 to 2004.
Writings by Charles Davidson
From Szatmar to the New World: Max Wohlberg, American Cantor. New York : Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 2001.More Information about Charles Davidson
Elkin, Michael. "The Last Word," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Jan 13, 2005. Vol.217, Iss. 15; p62.Frank, Lynda. "Special concert on Oct. 27 dedicated to 'Holocaust children', " The Jewish Press. Omaha, Neb.: Oct 25, 1991.Vol.LXIX, Iss. 8, p5.
Harris, Ellen. "Compelling documentary evokes spirit of Terezin's children: 'The Journey of Butterfly' incorporates art, music and poetry created by talented youngsters of Czechoslovakian ghetto," The Cleveland Jewish News. Cleveland, Ohio: Apr 18, 1997.Vol.67, Iss. 3, p64.
Leiter, Robert. "Speaking Volumes: A Tale of Two Cantors; Meet Max Wohlberg and Charles Davidson - and their craft," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Sep 13, 2001.Vol. 210, Iss. 11, p48.
Levin, Monroe. "Notes on Music: A Soaring 'Pillar of Fire' at A.J." Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Nov 7, 1996.Vol.200, Iss. 19, p4X.
_____. "Notes on Music: Cantor's Musical Ideas Fuel Salute to Rabin; Charles Davidson scores a triumph," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Aug 15, 1996.Vol.200, Iss. 19, p4X.
_____. "Orchestra helps bring Holocaust music to light," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Oct 11, 1991.Vol.190, Iss. 15, p12X.
Poley, Rita. "Sketches: The Art World; 'Visions & Voices' Finds Voice at A.J.," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Mar 19, 1998.Vol.203, Iss. 12, p9X.
Tilman, David F."In Record Time: Singing Praises of Concerts," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Apr 8, 1999.Vol.205, Iss. 14, p52.
_____. "'Journey of Butterfly' Alights on Local TV," Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Apr 11, 1996.Vol.199, Iss. 15, p4X.
(Go Back to "American Judaism's Lost Legacy" Ten Composers Page)
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November 5, 2006
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