Turetsky Choir (Russian: Хор Турецкого) (art group) is a Russian men's a cappella ensemble and musical collective under the direction of Mikhail Turetsky. Their voices range from tenore contraltino to basso profundo.
The Turetsky Men's Choir was established at the Moscow Choral Synagogue. The chorus made its debut in 1990 with Jewish liturgical and folk music in the philharmonic halls of Tallinn and Kaliningrad. Their repertoire has grown since to include opera, spiritual, folk and pop music in 10 different languages.
In his blog "Teruah Jewish Music" Jack Zaientz wrote, "I don't know if any of the choir members, including Turetsky, are Jewish or what being Jewish might mean to them... And I'm not sure how much it matters. Seeing a bunch of seriously good male vocalists singing Jewish music to a huge crowd of Russians, in the face of the centuries of discrimination that Russian Jews have faced, does my heart proud.But still it is TURETSKY Choir"
1989 — Chorus formation by Mikhail Turetsky (founder and conductor) the Moscow Choral Synagogue1990 — Thanks to the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Choir made its official debut at the Moscow Choral Synagogue in 1990 and ever since, has been a vehicle throughout Russia for renewed interest in Jewish heritage. Music which was near extinction since 1917 was able to be heard again and is now a staple throughout Russia's synagogues. The Choir made its first concerts in Kaliningrad, Tallinn, Chisinau, Kiev, Leningrad, Moscow and other cities.1991–1992 — Performances in the United States. The Choir sang in Washington, D.C. for Congress at the Chanukah celebration, the Park East Synagogue in New York, at Carnegie and Merkin Halls. They were invited to sing in Spain at the event, commemorating the 500th year since the Spanish expulsion of the Jews (participation in "Por Me Espiritu" festival together with Plácido Domingo, Isaak Stern, Zubin Meta's Orchestra). The event was attended by representatives of Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy, Greece, Morocco and China.1993–1994 — Tours in England, Israel, United States, Poland. In 1993, the American Cantor Association awarded Mikhail Turetsky with the Golden Crown of the Cantors of the World Award. This award has been given to only eight people in the world.1995–1996 — The Choir splits into two parts. One part stays in Moscow, the other goes to Miami, FL to work at the Temple Emmanu-El Synagogue. The "American" soloists become "honored Citizens of Miami. The Choir performs together with Julio Iglesias. The repertoire of the Choir grows to include folk songs, opera arias, Broadway classics, jazz pieces . When the group returned to Moscow in 1996 they caught the attention of Yuri Lujkov, the Mayor of Moscow, who named the group Moscow's official Jewish Choir of the government.1997 — The group took part in over 100 concerts in Iosif Kobzon's Russian farewell tour. "The Turetsky Choir" was recognized as a "state choir".1998–1999 — The Choir tours the CIS, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. During the Choir's stay in the US, February 6 is announced the "Day of the Moscow Jewish Choir".2000–2001 — Joint tour with Iosif Kobzon. Performances in Israel, the USA, Australia, Germany, the CIS. The Choir performs on the stage of the Moscow State Variety Theatre.2002 — Mikhail Turetsky receives the title "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" for his achievements in art.2002–2003 — Touring the United States and Europe.January 2004 — The first solo performance of the "Turetsky Choir Art Group." The Program «The Ten Voices that Overwhelmed the World" brought Mikhail the title of the Man of the Year 2004 in the nomination "Cultural Event of the Year" of the national "The Man of the Year Award."December 2004 — The Turetsky Choir presents the program "When Men Are Singing" in the State Kremlin Palace with participation of Emma Chaplin and Gloria Gaynor.January 2005 — Performing at the best concert halls of the United States in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago.2005–2006 — Turetsky Choir's Anniversary Tour "Born to Sing" in more than 100 cities of Russia and the CIS.2006–2007 — Turetsky Choir tours 70 cities of Russia and the CIS with the program "Music of All Times and Peoples"2007 — Turetsky Choir receives the Russian Music Award "Record 2007" for the best classical album of the year (the Collector's edition of the "Great Music" ), the Choir is recognized for the children's charity concert "Be Kind-Hearted Today!". The concert of the group for children at the main platform of the country in the State Kremlin Palace which passed in March the 27-th with support of the Moscow’s Government and the Committee of Culture of the Moscow-city became the bright beginning of the action. More than 5,000 children (gifted and talented children, children from socially unprotected and having many children families, children-invalids) have visited the concert. Turetsky Choir gets a Yearly National "Emotion" Award in the category "Respect".2007–2008 — "Hallelujah to Love" Tour around Russia and the CIS. The Choir gives a record-breaking number of concerts in Moscow. The «Turetsky Choir» performs 4 times at the Kremlin Palace, and have one additional concert at State Concert Hall "Rossiya" (ru: ГЦКЗ "Россия"), in Luzhniki.2008–2009 — Touring Russia, the CIS, and the USA with the new program "And the Show Goes On..."2010–2011 — anniversary tour "20 years: 10 voices"2011 — tour "The beginning" starts.
