Music
Press
Bold and Tender
What a collection of innovative melodies both traditional in style and eclectic. From the tender moment of the Hinei Mah Tov to the freilach sounds of the Yism'chu! This album has something for everyone and will keep you listening time and time again. Thank you for your contribution to our glorious canon of Jewish liturgical music.
--Cantor Ilene Keys
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Glorious new music for the cantorate
Bravo, Erik, on this beautiful collection of new cantorial music. The production is first class with fine attention given to details and environmentally friendly packaging. How exciting it is to have this much new music of substance to add to our repertoire and share with our congregations.
--Singer/Songwriter, Judy Ginsburgh
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A Blessing for Everyone
From the beautifully haunting melody of V'sham'ru to the lively Ein Keloheinu, Cantor Contzius captures the essence of the liturgical texts. "Teach My Lips a Blessing" contains a well balanced variety of inspirational choral and solo compositions. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it!
--Valerie Coates, Alto
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Incredibly Moving!
I was struck by so many of the fragments that I knew I needed the whole CD. I couldn't be more delighted with it. The range of texts the boldness of the interpretations and the beauty of the renditions are all helping to point the way forward for recordings of Jewish liturgical music.
--Cantor Barbara Ostfeld
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A New Classic!
Cantor Erik Contzius has captured the flavor and richness of our musical heritage. His music is wonderful and a real treat for the Jewish communities of today.
--Cantor Ross Wolman
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Contemporary Magnificence
Bravo Erik! Beginning with the glorious Hineh Mah Tov I was struck by the warmth and spirituality of your music and it just kept getting better. You brilliantly capture the grandeur and praise of the text. Thank you for bravely bucking the trend. Bring on magnificence, bring on the choir and bring on that most Jewish of instruments, the Organ. Your album is revolutionary in our time and brilliant. Thank you!
--Arthur Giglio - feedback from CDBaby.com and Digstation.com
Discography
Compact Disc: "Teach My Lips a Blessing," 2008: Contzius Music Publishing: Baritone soloist, Composer
Compact Disc: How Excellent is Thy Name, 1999: Loft Recordings: Jewish Art Song for Cantor and Pipe Organ. Baritone soloist
Compact Disc: Celebrate Hanukkah, 1998: Rider College: Recorded with the Westminster Choir College’s Youth Chorale. Baritone soloist
Compact Disc: Yamim Noraim—Days of Awe, 1995: Transcontinental Music: Recorded with the Hebrew Union College. Choir member
Photos
Bio
As a Cantor trained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music, I am well versed in traditional Jewish modes and indigenous Eastern-European Hazzanut (cantorial art music). I feel my composition work is tempered by classical, jazz, and traditional choral repertoire with an ear towards consonant melody and challenging harmonization.
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