78-rpm picture discs

This box set reissues the complete recordings of Yitshak Jacques Zaludkowski (Ben Baruch) published on 78-rpm picture discs by "Saturne" in 1950. Nine discs were recorded under René Cloërec's direction, the other two under Léon Algazi's. Also included are "Yehi rotson" and "Shabes baym shalesh-shudes," two songs found on a non-picture disc record released by "Le disque folklorique yiddish." This singer's repertoire is diversified: synagogal-like religious songs in Hebrew ("Kaddish," "Kol nidrey"), Yiddish songs ("Kinderyorn"), songs about religious topics in Hebrew ("Haben yakir," dedicated to his father) or Yiddish ("Zol nokh zayn shabbes"), and songs in Hebrew about the inception of the State of Israel ("Artseynu," "Vu ahin zol ikh geyn").

Yitshak Jacques Zaludkowski aka Ben Barukh : a short biography

Born on September 20, 1914 in Stawiszyn, to a religious family of eight children. His father, Chaoul Barukh Zaludkowski, was a cantor and composer in Stawiszyn (near Kalisz). His father's older brother, Noah Zaludkowsky, was also a cantor. In 1920, his oldest brother Elias Zaludkowski moved to Belgium and eventually helped his parents and siblings immigrate. Jacques studied at the Charles Buls community school and later took evening singing classes at one of Brussels music academies. He attended the synagogue on Lenglentier Street. Between 1937 and 1940, Jacques worked part-time in Zionist leader Léon Kubowitzki's law firm and part-time in the latter's Comité d'Action Economique in Brussels, which worked toward a boycott of German products and would eventually become part of the Brussels Council of Jewish Organizations. In October of 1950, the Saturne record company released a series of picture discs of Jewish music. In all, 18 records featuring Berland and Ben Baruch would be produced (11 with Ben Baruch). All the recordings are orchestrated. René Cloërec is the musical director on nine records.