Max Janowski

Max Janowski (1912-1991)

Max Janowski, cantor, composer, conductor. Was born at 29 January 1912 in Berlin, Germany. His mother, Miriam, was an opera singer and his father, Chayim, led choirs and trained cantors. 

He studied at the Schwarenka Conservatory in Berlin. In 1933 he won a piano contest that led to his appointment in Tokyo as head of the Piano Department of the Mosashino Academy of Music – and his escape from Nazi Germany. He remained in Japan for four years before immigrating to the United States in 1937. 

He became the musical director of KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation in Hyde Park in Chicago in 1938. It was to remain his home for his entire career, except for a four-year sojourn in Navy intelligence from 1942 to 1946.

As a composer he is most famous for "Avinu Malkeinu" and "Sim Shalom" ( which was dedicated to the American diplomat Ralph Bunche). They are among the 500 compositions, which include choir and orchestra pieces, cantatas, and oratorios, that he published during his prolific career. His works are popular and moving for both the congregation and the audience. He founded "Friends of Jewish Music", which was responsible for the publication of his work.

Though well-rooted in a Reform Congregation, Janowski was honored by Hebrew Union College’s School of Sacred Music, the Cantor’s Assembly of the Conservative Movement, and the United Synagogue of America, now called the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Max Janowski died at 8 April 1991 in Chicago.

с уточнениями Encyclopaedia Judaica

[78RPM]

Kadisch (Kurt Robitschek - Otto Stransky) Pinkhas Lawenda  Semer S3 12229 1931

Lebjke fohrt kejn Amerika Pinkhas Lawenda  Syrena Electro 5391 1931

[33RPM]

Avinu Malkeinu (Max Janowski) Jan Peerce Vanguard AN 69-46 B

 piano by Max Janowski

Last update 04-12-2010