CHARLES HELLER graduated from Cambridge University, furthered his studies at Wilfrid Laurier and York Universities, received a B.Ed. in Music Education from the University of Toronto, and studied composition with Marjan Mozetich. He taught high school and middle school music for over thirty years, and has been involved for over fifty years in synagogue music, beginning as a boy soprano aged eight. His work with Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, Toronto, was recognized by the United Synagogue of America’s Solomon Schechter Award for Music in 1982. He performed with such major figures as Marvin Hamlisch, Cantor David Kusevitsky and Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. His arrangements and original compositions are used in synagogues and in concerts throughout the world. He was Vice-President of Jewish Music Toronto and is on the editorial board of the Journal of Synagogue Music, and is Editor in Chief of the forthcoming Handbook of Synagogue Music to be published by the European Cantors Assocation. His interest in the transmission and evolution of Jewish music is the basis of his award-winning book What To Listen For In Jewish Music (Ecanthus Press, 2008). Charles’ second book, Shul Going: 2500 Years of Impressions and Reflections on Visits to the Synagogue (Resource Publications, 2019) was quoted on Norman Lebrecht’s website, Slipped Disc. Of this book Joshua Jacobson says: Charles Heller is to be commended for his assiduous research and the vast knowledge he has brought to bear on this subject. He has amassed a treasure of rare and fascinating documents, which can provide needed perspective on contemporary synagogues and their issues, both in the US and elsewhere.
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Recent vocal works include:
Letters From Bozena (Soprano/viola/piano)
Premiered: Marta Vavrova/ Rivka Golani/ Petr Vasicek, London 2010
English version premiere: Stacie Carmona/ Barry Shiffman/ Brahm Goldhamer, Toronto 2013
First recording: From Anne With Love Kira Braun, soprano/ Elspeth Thomson, viola/ Brahm Goldhamer, piano, Toronto, 2024
Hebrew Melodies: Poems by Byron (Soprano/viola/strings)
Premiered by Stacie Carmona, Barry Shiffman and RCM ensemble, Toronto 2017
Tramvay Lider/Streetcar Songs* Baritone/Piano Premiered Toronto 2012, CD issued 2015
The Ancient Mariner and the Albatross, commissioned by the Toronto Children’s Chorus 2018
Who Knows One (poem by Jane Shore) for narrator and clarinet 2021
Works for viola and orchestra include:
The Two Ravens for viola, flute and strings
Premiered Rivka Golani/Noam Buchman/SoWeCa Festival Ensemble, Head-Smashed-In, Alberta, 2014
Contact and Toccata premiered by Rivka Golani and Peter Barsony, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London, 2020 (video Rivka Golani)
The Forty-Foot Reflector: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra Commissioned by Rivka Golani 2021
Other works include:
Hanukkah, Hanukkah for orchestra, premiered Orchestra Toronto 2017
Gems of the Jewish Operetta – music arranged for tenor and ensemble, With Louis Danto. Cadenza Records LRCD 108 1990
I Heard A Voice From Heaven: Jewish Devotional Music of the 18th-20th centuries, arranged for tenor/viola/piano. Performed by Louis Danto and Rivka Golani (Cadenza Records LRCD110 1993)
Music of Moyshe Oysher arranged and orchestrated – included in the CD The Best of “The Spirit” Series. Cantors Assembly/United Synagogue, New York 2008
Yiddish Medley, 1995
Hodu Lashem: Fantasia on 18th century Jewish Melodies (Tenor/piano/choir/orchestra) Premiered Toronto 1993
Publications
Choral music published by Kjos, San Diego 1995-1998:
Niggun (SATB/ piano)
Jewish Holidays (unison /piano)
Ketsele Shtil (unison/piano)
Creator of Peace/Oseh Shalom (SATB/piano)
Encore! Duets for TT/piano Toronto: Council of Hazzanim. Vol.1 1983 (2nd ed. 1994) ; vol.2 TT and TTB 1988
A Testament of Song: Songs collected from family tradition, notated and edited by Charles Heller. Toronto: Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 1990
*Supported with a grant from Ontario Heritage
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