“Teach My Lips a Blessing: The Music of Erik Contzius” makes its
debut at Temple Israel of New Rochelle on June 20, 2008. Recorded
with the Amor Artis Chamber Choir under the baton of Maestro Johannes
Somary, Christopher Creaghan, organist, guest cantors Helene Reps and
Hayley Kobilinsky, tenor Jacob Meiner and the Youth Choir of Temple
Israel, Cantor Erik Contzius lends his baritone voice and
compositional style to this CD of twenty works for the synagogue.
This collection highlights the grandeur of the Reform prayer service
as well as several of the Psalms and other liturgies. Contzius’
composition, “And Hannah Prayed,” featured on this recording was
recently selected as a finalist at Shalshelet’s Third International
Festival of New Jewish Liturgical Music in Wisconsin.

“Teach My Lips a Blessing” is available through digital distributors
such as iTunes and Amazon.com, and is available as a physical CD at
<http://cdbaby.com/cd/contzius>.

Reviewers have
said of the new recording:

“…what a collection of innovative melodies both traditional in
style and eclectic…”

“…a well balanced variety of inspirational choral and solo
compositions…”

“The range of texts the boldness of the interpretations and the
beauty of the renditions are all helping to point the way forward for
recordings of Jewish liturgical music.”

More information about the recording and Cantor Contzius can be found
at: <http://contzius.com/>.