<p>Does anyone have a suggestion? We’re looking for 2 or 3 part arrangements. The group has a pretty sophisticated repertoire and is quite talented with a professional director and professional accompanist. Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel doesn’t make it.</p>
<p>Oh, I heard the most gorgeous piece sung by Cecilia Bartoli the other day (first day of Hanukkah): Ravel’s “Hebraic Song”. IIRC, Bartoli sung both mezzo and soprano parts.</p>
<p>Here is the playlist information:
Maurice Ravel: Hebraic Song. Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano; Myung-Whun Chung, piano. London/Decca 452 667-2 CD</p>
<p>Another one was “O You Little Lights”, which on this disc is “O Ir Kleyne Lihktelekh”
[Taste</a> Of Chanukah CD](<a href=“Taste Of Chanukah CD Album”>Taste Of Chanukah CD Album)
You can probably get some other ideas from this disc as well.</p>
<p>Good luck, it sounds like a wonderful group!</p>
<p>Our women’s chorus is doing S’Vivon, a traditional Hebrew song arranged by Betty Bertaux, 4 part treble.</p>
<p>There are beautiful Ladino songs - one I like is Ochos Candelikas.</p>
<p>You can also try Peter Yarrow’s (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) Light One Candle.</p>
<p>Oh, and I’m sure you could find something suitable from Handel’s (yes, that Handel) Judas Maccabeus.</p>
<p>Perhaps Senator Orrin Hatch could help you? He like composing [Hanukkah</a> music](<a href=“http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/12/video.php]Hanukkah”>The Orrin Hatch Hanukkah Song - The Atlantic).</p>
<p>^^My husband heard about this on the radio and reported to me. Far out!</p>
<p>There is a nice 3-part women’s arr. of Sevivon by Bonia Shur. Tho I guess you’ve already chosen your music for this year!</p>
<p>Google up the sophisticated Zamir Chorale of Boston, for their exquisite Chanukah album called “Lights.” [Zamir:</a> Music for Chanukah](<a href=“http://www.zamir.org/resources/musicchanukah.html]Zamir:”>http://www.zamir.org/resources/musicchanukah.html)</p>
<p>Here’s the iTunes list from that album: <a href=“Lights: Music for Chanukah - Album by Zamir Chorale of Boston - Apple Music”>Lights: Music for Chanukah - Album by Zamir Chorale of Boston - Apple Music;
<p>I particularly like their “Al HaNissim” and what they call the “Italian Chant.” </p>
<p>Al HaNissim is from text in the daily prayer liturgy for all 8 days, praising the leaders and sages. It has the authenticity of being part of the actual prayer service, and the music is very rousing. </p>
<p>The “Italian Chant” comes from a time when musical instruments were forbidden in the synagogues, so
someone in the (hope I’m right here) 16th/l8th centuries wrote a Maoz Tzur arrangement to sound
like instruments were there. It’s a slow, studied piece. People find it interesting to hear the very familiar MaOz Tzur/ (“Rock of Ages”) lyrics put to a completely different melody and arrangement for voice. For your accompanist: When a small group of adults sang this last Friday night at services, our organist put on the “harpsichord” button. Considering the reason the piece was written, it was an interesting choice!
It sounded fine with the accompaniment. Again, it’s a somber piece, so depends on your crowd. </p>
<p>And I second the suggestion by Chedva: “Light One Candle [for the Maccabbee Children…]” was written by Peter Yarrow. I heard him sing it last week in our town, and he said he wrote it during the first Intifada, hoping to generate more thought about peace. It even has a catchy sing-along chorus for the audience, if you go in that direction.</p>
<p>There are SA or SSA arrangements of:
Rock of Ages (Ma’oz Tsur) arr. by Samuel Adler (Transcontinental)
Who Can Retell (Mi Yimalel) arr. by Samuel Adler
S’vivon arr. by Gregg Smith (SSA-Schirmer); arr. by Berteau (SSAA-Boosey)
Three Yiddish Chanukah Songs arr. by Zukof and Levine (Transcontinental)
and The Flames of Freedom (SSA), Chanukah piece by Samuel Adler (Ludwig Music).</p>
<p>You can purchase single copies directly from the publishers to see if any of the pieces are appropriate for your group. </p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions. We have been asked back to the same venue next year so we have time to check the recommendations. Until this year we’ve only performed at nursing homes and before friendly audiences. There’s a little more pressure when we are being paid! </p>
<p>I’ve seen Sen. Hatch’s song and Light One Candle on YouTube…they’re catchy but may not appeal to our director who is an opera singer.</p>