Yisroel Lesches, Mimkomcha

Yisroel Lesches, Assistant Cantor of Manhattan’s Lincoln Square Synagogue, has released the first episode of his musical series “The Synagogue Sessions”; his modern take on cantorial music.

The new online musical series consists of eight episodes featuring eight cantorial pieces modernized, re-invented, and accompanied by New York’s leading young jazz musicians. Each episode is being recorded live on location inside a shul and filmed in cinematic 4k for a contemporary sound and look.
The first episode, filmed and recorded at the Tribeca Synagogue in Manhattan, features Shlomo Carlebach’s Mimkomcha jazzed-to-the-ninths.
“In creating the series, I was drawn to the idea of leaving the studio behind and recording live inside shuls,” said Lesches. “Here in New York we are blessed to have large, stunning sanctuaries with stellar acoustics. Recording in them presented technical challenges we had to overcome, but the authenticity and energy it gave the music made it all very worth it.”
The series has dedicated musical, recording, and film teams in place and is currently filming the next set of episodes. The videos will continue to be released over the coming months.