The Birthday of the World,
Music and Traditions of the High Holy Days:
Part I: Rosh Hashanah
(CD)

Leonard Nimoy, Guest Narrator
Sung by The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble and Guest Choir

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Part I of the two-part series devoted to the rich and profound musical and spiritual traditions of the Jewish High Holy Days.

An important focus of the program is to document the performance of certain prayers in the traditional style of cantor and "meshorerim" (singers who provide improvised accompaniment). This unique style, along with the great literature of the choral service, may not last much longer, as choirs are increasingly being eliminated from synagogues, to be replaced by organs and synthesizers, and by pop-style tunes. The Western Wind is thus providing a valuable service in helping to preserve and renew a significant element of the Jewish cultural heritage.

"Sung by The Western Wind vocal ensemble with outstanding cantors backed by accomplished mesharim (improvisational singers), this is an ideal Rosh Hashanah service. Comprised of major prayers drawn from traditions ancient and modern, Sefardic and Eastern European, with a splendid narration by Leonard Nimoy, the performance is outstanding for the beauty of its artistry." Joan Schwartz Michel (Hadassah Magazine)

Track List (click to download sample):
1. Rosh Hashanah Nusach- Traditional arr. Lazar
3. Ma Tovu - Lewandowski (Cantor: Osborne) / Tik'u- Traditional
5. Shechecheyanu- Machtenberg (Cantor: Mizrahi) (.mp3) or (.mov)
7. Zochreinu- Folk Melody arr. Levine (.mp3) or (.mov)
9. Adonoy, Adonoy- Helfman (Cantor: Gurney) (.mp3) or (.mov) / Va'ani S'filosi- from The Holy Ark- Helfman
11. Hineni-  adap. from Silverman (Cantor: Mizrahi) (.mp3) or (.mov)
13. Ki Keshimcho- Lewandowski (Cantor: Osborne)
15. V'Chol Ma'aminim- Secunda
17. Shofar- Traditional / Hayom Harat Olam- Wohl (Cantor: Mendelson) (.mp3) or (.mov) / Areshet Seifateinu- Melody by Rosenblatt arr. Levine
19. V'al Y'dei- Kaminsky (Cantor: Gurney, Boy Alto: D. Mendelson)
21. B'seyfer Chayim- Folk Melody arr. Levine (.mp3) or (.mov)
23. Hayom T'amtzeinu- Zalis arr. Western Wind/Lazar (Cantor: Mendelson) (.mp3) or (.mov)

[Narration tracks are 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22]

Price $14.95