Yigal Calek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1944-05-29)29 May 1944 |
| Died | 21 October 2024(2024-10-21) (aged 80) London, England |
| Alma mater | Gateshead Yeshiva |
| Occupation(s) | Conductor, composer |
| Years active | 1970—1999 |
Yigal Yisroel Calek (29 May 1944—21 October 2024) was a BritishOrthodox Jewish conductor and composer of Israeli origin. He was the founder and conductor of theLondon School of Jewish Song, the first Orthodox Jewish children'schoir.[1]
Calek was born in 1944 inTel Aviv[1] and grew up in theNeve Tzedek neighborhood in South Tel Aviv in a family ofGerHasidism. As a child he studied at Tachkamoni School, and performed in plays at the children's theater next to theCameri Theatre under the direction of Yosef Milo.[2] In 1957, when he was 13 years old, his family immigrated to London, United Kingdom. He studied at theGateshead yeshiva and after his marriage began to work as a Judaism teacher at a non-religious Jewish school in London, where, according to him, he recognized the need to createreligious Jewish music. He began his musical career when he founded the school choir.[3]
In 1970 Calek founded the London School of Jewish Song choir. The choir was considered a pioneer in the genre ofJewish music. Its debut album,Ma Navu,[4] contained 14 songs, most of which were composed by Calek. Prominent songs from the album included "Sali Umetzudasi",[4] "Al Zeh Hayah Daveh Libeinu",[4] "Shimu Malachim", "Hamavdil", "Ki Heim Chayeinu" and "Yevanim". The choir's second album,Barchi Nafshi, released in 1971, included hits such as "Mar'eh Kohen",[5] "Darkecha Eloikeinu"[6] and "Ein Meilitz Yosher".[7] Its third album,Ashira Lashem, was released in 1973 with the Neginah Orchestra, from which the hits "Ashira Lashem", "Yadav Shel Moshe", "Pedei" and "Chamol" stood out.[5]
In 1974, Calek visited Israel and founded the Jerusalem Choir which operated inBnei Brak. Together with the choir, he released the albumJerusalem Choir - Yad Bzemer. Notable songs from the album included "Kol Berama", "Vaamartem" and "Hinei Ma Toiv". These three songs were the first famous songs ofYossi Green, who was then an 18-year-old yeshiva student. After a few months Calek returned to London and the choir disbanded. It was re-established a few years later by Hanan Avital in a different format.
After six albums of the London School of Jewish Song, in 1978, Calek closed the choir and took a break from musical activity. He renewed the choir's activities in 1988, when he released with the choir the albumThe Return Of The London School Of Jewish Music. In 1991, the choir released the albumThe London School of Jewish Song. In 1997, the choir released its ninth and last albumV'nisa Bracha. The choir continued to perform for another three years and closed in 1999.
Calek suffered a stroke in 2021,[9] leaving him in "severe" condition. He died on 21 October 2024, at the age of 80.[1]
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