Obituaries : * Uri Frenkel; Prominent Jewish Cantor

Uri Frenkel, one of the country’s most prominent Jewish cantors, died of heart failure early Friday at Humana Hospital in West Hills. He was 81. Born in 1914 in Munkac, a small town in what later became Czechoslovakia, Frenkel was a child singing prodigy, impressing audiences throughout Europe with his ability as a cantor.

Moving to England, Frenkel escaped the Holocaust during World War II that claimed the lives of most of his relatives.

After stays in cities in Europe and the United States, Frenkel moved to California in 1955, where his cantorial skills became legendary.

His skill as a singer never diminished. At the time of his death, he was cantor emeritus of Temple Ner Maarav.

“Truly, I heard him in concert probably 50 times and he was always the best in any performance, above anyone else,” said Rabbi Aaron Kriegel of Temple Ner Maarav. “His voice and his approach will influence our community’s worship for generations to come. . . . He was one of the last great European cantors.”

Because of his mastery of the fine points of Jewish liturgy, he was known as the cantor’s cantor. His prowess was displayed on film when he played a cantor in the 1980 remake of “The Jazz Singer.” He also served as technical adviser, coaching Neil Diamond and Sir Laurence Olivier on their singing.

“There is probably not a member of the Jewish community--from Orthodox to Reconstructionist--who doesn’t know Uri Frenkel,” said his son, Cantor Chayim Frenkel of Temple Kehillath Israel. “His knowledge of the liturgy was immense and he touched so many lives worldwide.”

Frenkel is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sari; his son, of Pacific Palisades, and four grandchildren.

A funeral service, featuring a choir of cantors, will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. at Temple Ner Maarav, 5180 Yarmouth Ave., Encino.