Aroni (Aharoni), Tsvi

views updated

ARONI (Aharoni), TSVI

ARONI (Aharoni ), TSVI (1917–1990), cantor and professor of music and voice production. Born in Kalisch, Poland, he immigrated to Ereẓ Israel as a child with his parents. In Jerusalem he received his cantorial training under the distinguished cantor and composer Shmuel Kavetsky, whose two volumes of music were published and promoted by his protégé. He was imprisoned by the British as a member of the *Irgun Zeva'i Le'ummi. In 1947 he went to the United States and after holding several positions was appointed cantor of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Manhattan in 1966. Together with Joseph Milo he founded the Manhattan School for Cantors which he directed from 1972. In 1976 he was appointed professor of music and voice production at Long Island University, New York. Later he held a cantorial position in Miami until his death. Besides specializing in the performance of works by Israel Alter, he was a renowned Yiddishist. After his death, his widow Chedva issued a commemorative series of five cassettes of his recordings and live performances. She later helped create the Tsvi Aroni Music Library, which contains sheet music and recordings of both sacred and secular music. This is part of the Molly S. Fraiberg Judaica Collection housed at Florida Atlantic University Libraries. As a concert artist, he performed both in the United States and Israel.

[Akiva Zimmerman /

Raymond Goldstein (2nd ed.)]