2008 Woodie Awards
Gavriel Kahane: An interview with a YU Musician
Yitzi Raisner
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Arts and Culture
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Growing up in a family of musicians, it would have been hard for Gavriel Kahane not to do something in the music world. However, after years in the Miami Boys' Choir and various projects with other Jewish Music stars, Kahane is charting his own path. He now joins a rising new genre of Jewish music, blending traditional texts and themes with a modern, rock style. His music represents his own very personal journey through modern Jewish spirituality, soulfully addressing themes like the relationship with one's creator, and love for the people and land of Israel.
People seem to like it, too.
Gavriel's first solo project was his record entitled, "Guide Us Home" and was released in Setpember 2004. His HaKotel band won the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program Battle of the Bands 2006. Since then, he has played for a number of screaming audiences in venues throughout the New York City area. The following are excerpts from a recent sit-down between The Commentator and Kahane:
The Commentator: How did you get into music, and what are some of your favorite early musical moments?
Gavriel Kahane: It's kinda a Kahane family tradition that when you turn a certain age, as a rite of passage into our family, you pick up an instrument and study it. I started playing cello at about the age of 5. I took lessons for a long time. That's where I developed my ear. Music's always been a big part of our family. We play together a lot; one sister plays violin, the other piano, and my dad plays everything. We performed together at my sisters' bat mitzvahs, which was fun.
Probably the most exciting was playing at Carnegie hall. I played there when I was 12 with the JCC chamber orchestra for some commemoration of Suzuki music; that was really big because Carnegie Hall is a beautiful venue.
TC: Listening to your original work, I notice a very strong prominent theme; your music is very personal and spiritually charged. When and how did this direction in your music develop?
People seem to like it, too.
Gavriel's first solo project was his record entitled, "Guide Us Home" and was released in Setpember 2004. His HaKotel band won the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program Battle of the Bands 2006. Since then, he has played for a number of screaming audiences in venues throughout the New York City area. The following are excerpts from a recent sit-down between The Commentator and Kahane:
The Commentator: How did you get into music, and what are some of your favorite early musical moments?
Gavriel Kahane: It's kinda a Kahane family tradition that when you turn a certain age, as a rite of passage into our family, you pick up an instrument and study it. I started playing cello at about the age of 5. I took lessons for a long time. That's where I developed my ear. Music's always been a big part of our family. We play together a lot; one sister plays violin, the other piano, and my dad plays everything. We performed together at my sisters' bat mitzvahs, which was fun.
Probably the most exciting was playing at Carnegie hall. I played there when I was 12 with the JCC chamber orchestra for some commemoration of Suzuki music; that was really big because Carnegie Hall is a beautiful venue.
TC: Listening to your original work, I notice a very strong prominent theme; your music is very personal and spiritually charged. When and how did this direction in your music develop?