Mordechay Hershman
(1888-1940)
Mordechay Hershman was born in Cherinov in 1888, and his father, who was a glass-merchant, had no interest in singing whatsoever. Sadly, Mordechay was orphaned at the age of six and it turned out that his foster parents were equally disinterested in music. However, it may well have been their discouragement that turned the young Hershman towards the Synagogue in order to satisfy his thirst for singing, and it was through the pleadings of the local cantor with his foster parents that Mordechay was allowed to take lessons. At the age of twelve, he was adopted by his grandfather who took him to Solovio, where he continued his studies under Chazan Dorfman. By 1905 Chazan Dorfman considered his protege to be ready and he applied for, and was appointed, Chazan Sheni (Assistant Cantor) to the Vilna Synagogue, earning 12 roubles a month! When the incumbent Chazan Rishon (Chief Cantor) died, Hershman applied for the position, and against some extremely fine opposition, he was appointed Chazan Rishon himself. Since Vilna was one of the most flourishing centres of Jewish life, at this time, this post Rishon at the main Synagigue was indeed a coveted one. In 1914 Hershman was drafted into the army and it's related that his commanding officer was so impressed with his singing, that he was released from army service and returned to his Synagogue. (This, and similar apocryphal stories, are related about many Chazanim. It is of course very difficult to verify, but is a charming notion nevertheless!) After 1918 Hershman sang extensively throughout Russia and the rest of Europe. He became so famous that his own Synagogue released him to officiate only twice per month and he conducted services in many communities on the other Shabbatot. In concert he often sang operatic arias and appeared as soloist, twice, with the Warsaw Philharmonic. The famous Choir Director Leo Lowe heard him and invited him to go to America which he did in 1920 where he was appointed Chazan at the Temple Beth-El in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Hershman toured and concertised all over the States, as well as conduct services in all the major Synagogues. He died at the very early age of 53 in 1940, deeply mourned by countless admiring fans.
Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler
[78RPM]
A Chasnd'l Oif Shabos
(
arr.
Nathaniel Shilkret)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68625-A
1922
Al Chet
(
arr.
Nathaniel Shilkret)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68671-A
1922
Aneinu (
Max Kotlowitz
)
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57054-F
1929
Der Lamden Reb Sender (
M
orris Rund -
Joshua-Samuel Weisser
)
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57064-F
1929
Die Negidim Un Die Kabzonim
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57058-F
1926
Eylu Devorim
(
Jacob Rapaport)
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57019-
F
1926
In Cheder'l
(
Moses Milner
)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68598-A
1921
Lieder-Krantz (
arr. Leo Low
)
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia DIX 7
1928
Mai Ko Mashma Lon (
Avrom Reisen
-
arr.
Nicholas Saslavsky)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68639-B
1923
Mikita
(
arr.
Nathaniel Shilkret)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68625-B
1922
Min Hamaytzar (
Sigmund Mogul
esko
)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor
45496-A
1925
Mitraze Berachamim
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57019-
F
1926
Retsey (
Isaac Shlossberg
)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor
68619-
B
1923
V'yo V'yo Ferdelach
(
Yitskhok Leybush
Peretz
)
Mordechay Hershman
Columbia 57058-F
1926
Zamd un Shtern (
Shimon Frug
-
Avraham-Moshe Bernstein
)
Mordechay Hershman
Victor 68639-A
1923
Last update
03-02-2012
