Jewish Music

<p>As part of a program at our church, my son is going to present a piece of music that is customarily part of the celebration for one of the Jewish holidays or festivals. His choice was to present a piece related to Passover. (All of the kids are making presentations about the different Jewish holidays – he is a musician so he chose to learn a piece of music) However, he has no idea if there is such a specific piece (or pieces) and where he might find authentic sheet music. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>[Digital</a> Sheet Music Downloads | Jewish Music](<a href=“Digital Sheet Music Downloads – tagged "passover]Digital" – Jewish Music”>Digital Sheet Music Downloads – tagged "Passover" – Jewish Music)
These will be authentic but simple, musically.</p>

<p>In a moment I’ll post from a modern writer, Debbie Friedman, whose music is more interesting and in use across the country.</p>

<p>[Debbie</a> Friedman at Carnegie Hall Double CD / Cassette By: Debbie Friedman - Judaism.com](<a href=“Judaica & Jewish Gifts | Celebrate Hanukkah With Menorahs, Dreidels, & More | Judaica.com”>Judaica & Jewish Gifts | Celebrate Hanukkah With Menorahs, Dreidels, & More | Judaica.com)</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

<p>zoosermom,
If the PBK :wink: wants something specific for Passover, may I suggest one of the digital sheet music downloads linked by paying3. Third line down, second from the left “Dayenu.” Very uptempo and upbeat, at least the way I learned it. This is something my family has sung at every Passover Seder I can remember since I was in elementary school.</p>

<p>ETA: Remind me what instrument he plays…</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>[Klezmer</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klezmer]Klezmer”>Klezmer - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>He plays clarinet. Have him check out this wiki site.</p>

<p>Here is klezmer sheet music for clarinet.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.clarinet-klezmer.com/Ka_Ribon.pdf[/url]”>http://www.clarinet-klezmer.com/Ka_Ribon.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.clarinet-klezmer.com/Russian_Sher.pdf[/url]”>http://www.clarinet-klezmer.com/Russian_Sher.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Very interesting, 07DAD! I hate to display my ignorance, but I’d never heard of the klezmer. I just found this on youtube:</p>

<p>[jewish</a> music CLARINET MUSIC VIRTUOSO ZOHAR player clarinet music jewish music klezmer music - YouTube](<a href=“KLEZMER \ CLASSICAL CLARINET VIRTUOSO KLEZMER ISRAEL ZOHAR classical clarinet כליזמר קלרינט כלי זמר - YouTube”>KLEZMER \ CLASSICAL CLARINET VIRTUOSO KLEZMER ISRAEL ZOHAR classical clarinet כליזמר קלרינט כלי זמר - YouTube)</p>

<p>I can see the influence on Rhapsody in Blue. </p>

<p>Let us know what the PBK ends up playing, zm!</p>

<p>Lapsed Methodist here, but my dad played with Benny Goodman in the 1930s.</p>

<p>Here is another example.
[Giora</a> Feidman - The Dance Of Fire - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>

<p>You guys are the best! Especially my secret crush, 07Dad!</p>

<p>The PBK is very excited about this because it will be part of an inter-faith program in the community and he will get to show off his virtuosity a little bit. He will be absolutely beside himself about the connection to Artie Shaw and his idol, Benny Goodman. It is absolutely amazing the things one can learn and find on this site.</p>

<p>Looking for a X-mas gift for PBK? Have him check out David Krakauer (NY clarinetist) and a performance in Katonah, NY on Nov. 30.</p>

<p>[Shows</a> | Krakauer](<a href=“David Krakauer”>David Krakauer)</p>

<p>This is also something that might give your son a start at the sound.
<a href=“http://www.dolmetsch.com/klezmer.pdf[/url]”>http://www.dolmetsch.com/klezmer.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And check out anything you can find performed by Ilene Stahl, clarinetist for the Klezmer Conservatory Band. She’s been called the “Jimi Hendrix of klezmer clarinet.” </p>

<p>I heard her perform with that Boston-based band last September. That particular group is a keystone to the Klezmer renaissance (and musicians at our 1982 wedding when they were just a baby band). </p>

<p>[Klezmer</a> Conservatory Band Bio](<a href=“http://www.klezmerconservatory.com/bio.html]Klezmer”>http://www.klezmerconservatory.com/bio.html) Scroll down for Ilene’s bio. Then he can chase her performances online.</p>

<p>He will definitely rouse the crowd with a klezmer presentation. I’m going to look now to see if I can find you a tune name, particularly for Passover, so you have a Venn Diagram between Klezmer clarinet music and Passover. If not…</p>

<p>It would also be authentic to start off with something specifically Passover, like Dayenu, on the clarinet, and then write his own little segue to any grand klezmer tune from any of the above CC suggestions, all great. </p>

<p>Klezmer bands often perform a medley of 2 or 3 tunes, with one leading into the other.
So even that would be authentic to choose two tunes – one very Passover, the other whatever interests him most musically.</p>

<h2>Hooray for musicians who explore!</h2>

<p>ETA: I did find one Passover klezmer melody written for clarinet… Is this able to be ordered and delivered with ease? It’s written specifically for clarinet by Giora Feidman (one of the grandfathers of this genre). On this list I see a melody called “Eliahu Hanavi” (Elijah the Prophet) which is quintessential Passover melody, in a minor key, very chromatic mournful sound. It’s as recognizable as “Dayenu” which is major, upbeat and bright.
[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.thomann.de/gb/plaene_verlag_songbooks_for_clarinet1.html]Pl”&gt;Pläne Verlag Clarinet Songbooks – Thomann UK]Pl</a></p>

<p>I can’t tell you how happy you have all made me and how appreciative I am!!</p>

<p>^^ good things happen to good people–you and your son. Now let’s find a cure for Italian. </p>

<p>Check out this klezmer feel.</p>

<p>[Barcelona</a> Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra - Djelem Djelem - YouTube](<a href=“Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra - Djelem Djelem - YouTube”>Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra - Djelem Djelem - YouTube)</p>

<p>

Thank you so much! You are a wonderful friend.
(Italian was shockingly good this marking period. I am putting that in parentheses so as not to tempt fate.)</p>

<p>RE: “Jewish music”</p>

<p>I think there is a little mixing of apples, oranges and gefilte fish going on here.</p>

<p>The phrase “Jewish music” can mean several different things.
There are the prayers, Torah portions and songs sung by the cantor or congregation during services.
There are traditional holiday songs (such as Dayenu).
There is Klezmer music.
And there is Israeli music.
Each one of the above (and all) can be considered “Jewish music.”</p>

<p>If the music that the O/P is referring to is to be played at a Shabbat service, Klezmer (IMHO) would not be appropriate.
If the occasion is more of a cultural discovery exercise, then Klezmer away!</p>

<p>Just be aware that Klezmer is not the only style of “Jewish music.”</p>

<p>GolfFather, it is a community event between members of different faiths learning about the others. The only “requirement” for my son’s presentation is that the music relate in some fashion to Passover.</p>

<p>Agree with GolfFather. If this is for a worship occasion, klezmer wouldn’t be the right thing. If this is for a community celebration that happens to be hosted at a church, klezmer might be great.</p>

<p>(If there were also a Christmas number, would it be “Deck the Halls” or “O Come All Ye Faithful”? - I think that’s a good test.)</p>

<p>zoosermom’s most recent post is is why in my earliest post I suggested what paying3 had posted right away-links to Passover music since that is what zoosermom wrote about in her original post. :slight_smile: Klezmer is wonderful music, but I don’t think it is “traditional” Passover music. To me, music identified with Passover could be any one of many songs which are sung during the Passover Seder. That’s the time when I hear and sing “Passover music.”</p>

<p>Doesn’t get any better than this:</p>

<p>[Moishe</a> Oysher - Dayenu - It Would Have Been Enough | Listen Free | iHeartRadio](<a href=“http://www.iheart.com/artist/Moishe-Oysher-16049/songs/Dayenu-It-Would-Have-Been-Enou-10354149/]Moishe”>http://www.iheart.com/artist/Moishe-Oysher-16049/songs/Dayenu-It-Would-Have-Been-Enou-10354149/)</p>

<p>Whoops! I meant this one;</p>

<p>[Chad</a> Gadya by Moishe Oysher - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>

<p>I would add there is music which combines traditional prayers with new music. Perhaps the most well known are Shalom Rav by Jeff Klepper and Hashkiveinu by Craig Taubman. The latter is often done as a round.</p>

<p>I would particularly recommend Shalom Rav for any interfaith or non-Jewish service. The song is lovely and the text is about peace:</p>

<p>“Grant abundant peace over Israel, Your people, forever.
For You are the sovereign source of all peace.
So may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel
in every season and in every hour with Your peace.
Blessed are You, Adonai,
Who blesses His people Israel with peace.”</p>

<p>Leonard Bernstein did a version of Hashkiveinu which your kid might like. Hashkiveinu is, I suppose, a more important prayer. The words mean:</p>

<p>“Grant that we may lie down in peace, Eternal God, and awaken us to life. Shelter us with Your tent of peace and guide us with Your good counsel. Shield us from hatred, plague and destruction. Keep us from warm famine and anguish. Help us to deny our inclination to evil. God of peace, may we always feel protected because You are our Guardian and Helper. Give us refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Guard our going forth and our coming in and bless us with life and peace. Blessed are You, Eternal God, whose shelter of peace is spread over us, over all Your people Israel, and over Jerusalem.”</p>

<p>If you want an odd choice, look up the Klezmer Nutcracker by Shirim (klezmer band). And so you know, many times there is not a single Jew in that band. The piece is absolutely worth listening to and is hilarious, a parody version of The Nutcracker in klezmer.</p>