Introducing...Moses Live!

In 1999, I recorded and released my first CD, ‘Moses Sings.’  I was then the Cantor of Shaare Zion Congregation in Montreal.  Shaare Zion had unique musical arrangements never heard in other synagogues.  I felt it was important to record them as part of the synagogue’s 75th anniversary celebration.  I must confess that after completing ‘Moses Sings,’ I decided that I would never attempt a recording endeavour again.  While the CD was very successful, the amount of effort involved in creating a technically flawless product is a formidable challenge.  Unlike live singing, the microphone records everything, including the flaws which are quickly forgotten in a live performance.  Achieving a product that I can listen to and be satisfied with was a definite hurdle to cross. 

In a few months, I hope to release my second CD, ‘Moses Live!’  The purpose of this CD is to capture the pure unadulterated singing of a live performance.  This year marks my tenth anniversary as a Hazzan.  It is with great honour that I have served two very distinguished congregations.  As a way to personally recognize this milestone, I have gathered a varied selection of recordings from live concerts.  Unlike Moses Sings, which focused exclusively on liturgical compositions from the Shabbat and High Holiday service, this CD is an eclectic mix of Yiddish, Liturgical, Israeli, and Chassidic music.  It will conclude with a bonus track of the Shabbat morning kiddush as I sang it at my Bar Mitzvah.  To further enhance the professionalism of this project, I have included three tracks recorded with symphony orchestra.  The track listing is as follows:

L’dor Vador    --  by M. Finkelstein with orchestra and choir
Lo Teida   -- by U. Continello (duet with Hazzan Y. Motzen)
Hineni    -- by M. Stern / S. Secunda / E. Jaffe / A. Katchko
Chassidic Medley  -- arr. L. Burko with orchestra and choir
Moishele Mein Friend -- by M. Gebirtig
Ani Maamin   -- by J. Gross (as made famous by Hazzan Bagley)
HaShir SheHaleviim  -- by I. Alter / M. Ganchoff
B’rosh Hashana  -- by E. Jaffe with orchestra and choir
Hamavdil   -- by Y. Rumchinsky
V’shamru   -- as sung at my Bar Mitzvah

The cd will likely go to production by the spring with an expected launch shortly thereafter.

I am grateful for the generous donations from Cindy & Howard Orfus, Susan & Allan Fenwick, and Debbie & Warren Kimmel to assist me in funding this project.  I am also thankful to Rick Shurman and Pirate Radio & Television for donating studio time for the editing and mastering of this cd.
As many of you know, my wife is a breast cancer survivor.  I am honoured to dedicate this recording to her and to so many others who have been afflicted by this deadly disease.  I am presently in contact with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as I would like to add the pink ribbon   to the tray card and donate all of the proceeds to breast cancer research and treatment. 

Please stay tuned for more details as I complete this project.  It is my hope that you will soon be able to enjoy the music of our synagogue beyond Eglinton Avenue. 

Cantor Eric Moses