American Jewish Music's Oral History Project: Highlighting Freydele Oysher, the Singer of the Khazene Style
In the realm of American Jewish music, the Oral History Project stands as a significant archival endeavor, dedicated to documenting the personal stories, experiences, and contributions of individuals connected to this rich and diverse tradition.
One of the project's most intriguing interviews features Freydele Oysher, a prominent Yiddish singer and actress, and her husband, the noted baritone and cantor, Harold Sternberg. Although specific details about this interview are not extensively documented, it is believed to offer valuable insights into the intersection of performance, Jewish liturgical music, and cultural identity during the American Jewish experience in the 20th century.
Freydele Oysher was known for her vocal production, particularly suited for singing the khazones repertoire. Her performance of cantorial recitative in the Yiddish theater was powerful and elicited uncontrollable rapturous applause. Sternberg, on the other hand, composed a setting of "Ribono Shel Olam" for both Moishe and Freydele to perform.
The interview, conducted by noted Jewish music scholars and record producers Neil W. Levin and Barry Serota in 1995, likely provides a unique perspective on the couple's artistic journey and their impact on the world of Jewish music.
The Oral History Project is more than just a repository of interviews. It preserves primary source material, documenting the historical and cultural evolution of Jewish music in America. The transcripts are search-enabled, offering a tool for researchers to pinpoint moments in the videos that are relevant to their research questions. The videos themselves are charming and entertaining, with a power to convey living personalities and the impact of first-person narratives.
The project also provides scholars, musicians, and the public with access to firsthand accounts that illuminate the social, religious, and artistic dimensions of Jewish American life. It supports educational and cultural programming that fosters appreciation for Jewish musical traditions and their ongoing relevance.
The Oral History Project, including interviews like the one with Freydele Oysher and Harold Sternberg, is expected to have a significant impact on research on Jewish music and American Jewish life. For those seeking more detailed information about specific interviews, consulting the archive or oral history repository housing the project is recommended.
[1] Jewish Music Forum [2] The Cantors Assembly
- The interview with Freydele Oysher and Harold Sternberg, a part of the Oral History Project, may offer invaluable insights not just into Jewish music, but also into the lifestyle and self-development of artistically inclined individuals during the American Jewish experience in the 20th century, given their contribution to the field.
- Beyond being an archive of interviews, the Oral History Project serves as a platform for entertainment by providing charming and engaging videos that offer glimpses into the lives of those who have shaped the landscape of education-and-self-development, as well as the entertainment and music industries, within the American Jewish community.
