Yigal Calek, the visionary composer, choir director, and founder of the London School of Jewish Song, was niftar today at the age of 80. Yigal z”l, whose contributions to Jewish music revolutionized the genre beginning in the early 1970s, had been seriously ill in recent months.
Yigal began his career as a sixth-grade rebbi, but his deep passion for music led him to create the London Pirchim Choir, later known as the London School of Jewish Song. His debut album, Ma Navu (1970), featured iconic songs such as “Sali Umetzudasi” and “Al Zeh Hayah Daveh Libeinu,” and marked the beginning of a groundbreaking era in Jewish music. He followed it with Borchi Nafshi in 1971, and later collaborated with Neginah Orchestra to produce timeless hits like “Ashira,” “Ko Amar,” “Chamol,” and “Children of Silence.”
His innovative approach not only elevated the musical standards within the Jewish world but also helped shape the frum concert scene, taking Jewish musical performances from shul basements to prestigious venues like Brooklyn College and Lincoln Center. His concerts were known for their theatricality, with choreographed performances and costume changes that enthralled audiences around the world.
Beyond his musical genius, Yigal z”l was beloved for his genuine warmth and commitment to yiddishkeit. His music reflected a deep love for Hashem, which resonated with listeners, young and old, for decades. His energy on stage, combined with the sincerity he brought to his compositions, left an indelible mark on Jewish music.
On the last night of Chanukah 2021, alumni of Yigal’s choir gathered for a reunion at his home in Golders Green to once again sing some of the songs that made the London School of Jewish Song a worldwide sensation.
Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.
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16 Responses
ברוך דיין האמת
#superlegend
Tonight’s אושפיזין actually is משה רבינו.
It isn’t until tomorrow night the אושפיזין of אהרן הכהן
147,
You do know that there are two ways to count right?
Either genealogical
Avraham yitzchak Yaakov Yosef moshe Aaron Dovid
Or sefiros
Avraham yitzchak Yaakov Moshe Aaron Yosef Dovid
A talmid chochom. A really warm and generous soul. Tremendous sense of humour. He had a Devine musical gift way beyond anyone of his generation. A unique genuine ohev Yisroel. He loved The Torah and greatly respected and loved talmidey chachomim. Yehi zichro Boruch. From D
Dons Hool.
אברהם – יצחק – יעקב – משה – אהרן – יוסף – דוד
חסד – גבורה – תפארת – נצח – הוד – יסוד – מלכות
כדאיתא בהושענות של הושענה רבה והקפות של שמחת תורה
Oh I miss the old songs
Real songs!! May his neshama have an Aliya
We should bring back music from those days!!
When Jewish music was ‘Jewish’ and was ‘music.’ Ren Yigal was a genius in composition. It’s a shame he didn’t produce more than seven or so albums. [There actually was another album back in the day called “the Return of the London School of Jewish Song,” with great songs, like “Ha’am,” “Eliyahu HaNavi,” “Kol Mevaser,” etc, but, as I understand it, not many copies were produced and it’s very hard to find. No subsequent choirs hold a candle to the London School as far as quality, each song a veritable masterpiece of talent, spunk, and authentic Jewish feeling. The intricate harmonies and creative arrangements of these eternal songs are also remarkable.
Reb Yigal, you take with you the zechusim of all the ruchniusdike pleasure you have given us for all these many years. A grateful fan, Lakewood, NJ
The first time I saw Yigal and his choir was in the 70’s at Brooklyn College. His was a performer a song written who’s song will be song forever. wasn’t! it!
Mareh Cohen, Chmol Taleh Aruka ein meilitz just to name a few.
Yisgal go sing for us
R Yigal had the unique זכות that other kids choirs don’t have. His songs are sung during the actual davening.
The family have asked that people leave any messages and memories about Yigal Calek here https://www.thankbox.com/app/thankbox/j7yz7tQJ
bit.ly/calekofficial
Please post messages on above to the family. Leave your memories and comments
עד היום הזה since the 70’s, every single time I recite Grace After Meals, I utilize his tune for במרום ילמדו אתכם
Songs that are precious.
He was the first superstar of jewish chiors on stage.Was electric many try to copy nobody came close.His songs weren’t just kids chior songs but songs for the ages.
Ne’lavim v’eynam olvim
Yehi Zichro Baruch
Everything is available
Yagata Matzata
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vLQKSWJe3fPx9vAxzjLjJ?si=7nd9oX3rRKKCxkPGrxVoLw&pi=uSXuqGSnRKCHS
@shuali and company
Pshat comes before Remez
Remez comes before Drush
Drush comes before Sod
Here’s a Secret you may not know:
Some of us have grandparents who were here before your grandparents
A Father more tired than your father
A Mother as smart as your mother
And Rabbis who were teachers of your Rabbis
A Gut Moed from great great great grandchildren of the Ohr Pnei Moshe
And
Einiklich of Stretin
BD”E.
Maybe a chatzi Nechama for his family, a silver lining, to note that he was niftar in the Chag of Zeman Simchatenu, which he was busy his whole life doing, whether it was flying out to Russia, his cd’s and generally the inspiration, stiring songs and simcha that he generated.
Truly a generation gone by in which music being produced by a “regular” person was pure and eidel.
Yeheh Zichro Baruch!