Synagogue song : an introduction to concepts, theories and customs / Jonathan L. Friedmann.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Friedmann, Jonathan L., 1980-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Synagogue music--History and criticism.

Synagogue music.

Physical Description:

vii, 195 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2012]

Summary:

"This book introduces theoretical approaches to the study of Jewish sacred music. Major topics include the diversity of Jewish music, the interaction of music and identity, the emotional and spiritual impact of worship music, the text-tone relationship, the musical component of Jewish holidays, and the varied ways prayer-songs are performed"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

I Foundations, Functions and Figures 9

What Is Sacred Music? 9

Music and Civilization 10

A Most Ancient Ritual 12

Musical Supervisors 13

Community and Liturgy 15

Sacred Time, Sacred Sound 16

Practical Functions of Synagogue Music 18

A Resonant World 19

Singing Metaphysics 20

Sanctification 22

Music as Language 23

Beauty in Sacred Song 24

Some Thoughts on "Traditional" Synagogue Music 26

Creating a Synagogue Musical Tradition 27

The Development of Jewish Music Traditions 29

Judging Synagogue Song 31

The Problems of Meaning 32

Conformity and Survival 34

Charismatic Tunes 36

Jewish Youth and Musical Change 38

Nusach Variations 39

Sacred Classics 41

Sing a New Song 43

Musical Layers 45

A Shir Koddesh 47

Instruments of Worship 48

Richard Dawkins and Synagogue Song 50

Darwin, Heschel, Music, and Marriage 53

Liturgical Hits 55

The Legacy of Jack Gottlieb 57

II Spirituality, Emotions and Identity 59

Religion, Emotion and Music 59

The Divine Lover of Music 61

To Edify and Glorify 63

Six Songs in the Hebrew Bible 64

Music, Prayer and Concentration 66

An Instrument Divine 67

Singing Is Believing 69

From Heart to Heart 70

Moods, Modes and Musical Meaning 72

Mystery and Melody 73

Singing, Health and Prayer 74

Heart and Mind 76

Serving God with Joy 77

Niggunim and Augustine 79

Holy Noises 80

Songs Without Words 82

Hymns of Praise 83

Stereotyping Synagogue Sounds 84

Singing for Joy 86

Being the Music 87

Absolute Music, Absolute Worship 89

Fight Songs and Fighting Words 90

Musical Taste, Musical Fact 92

Ethnicity in Jewish Music 93

Historicism and Futurism 95

Music and the Mitzvah of Nostalgia 96

Musical Minhag 98

Identity and Memory 101

Performing Identity 103

Diversity and Balance 104

III Holidays and Liturgy 107

Shabbat Singing 107

Music and the Moods of Shabbat 108

Opening Songs on Shabbat 109

Vayekhulu and the Renewal of Time 111

Reinterpretation Through Song 112

Thanksgiving Every Week 114

The Modern Origins of an "Ancient" Tune 115

Springtime and the Song of Songs 117

Song of Redemption 118

Sound of the Sea 120

Akdamut and the Power of Song 121

Songs of Renewal 123

Moses, Music and Eurocentrism 125

The Curious Case of Kol Nidrei 127

The Sound of Sincerity 128

Rejoicing in Torah 130

Songs of Victory and Light 131

The Maoz Tzur Melody: Sacred or Sinful? 132

Making Noise 134

Music, Midrash and Megillah 135

Tension and Release 137

Aleinu: Its Storied Past and Sacred Melodies 138

Adon Olam: Master of the World 141

The Myth of Ein Keloheinu 142

The Religious Roots of Hava Nagila 144

IV Cantors, Choirs and Congregations 147

The Cantor at the Center of the World 147

Singing and Prophecy 148

Cantors and Levites 149

More Than a Voice 151

The Cantorial Ideal 152

The Cantor's Prayer 154

Cantors, Rabbis, Hitters and Pitchers 155

The-Choir in Jewish History 157

The Music of Heaven on Earth 159

Unity, Participation and the Choral Experience 160

From Choir to Congregation 161

Why Congregations Sing 163

A Blended Sound 165

The Limits of Congregational Singing 167

Good and Friendly Music 168.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780786470617

0786470615

OCLC:

770876273