‘Five Sacred Chants’ is an 11-page sheet music set of simple rounds and chants for 2 or 3 voices. It includes a a 4-page introduction with an essay ‘What’s the point of chanting?’, and short commentaries on each of the…
Tag: chant
What’s the point of chanting?
The focus of chants is not singing, but prayer – avodat lev (or avodah shebalev), ‘service/work of the heart’. When we chant, it is not the quality of our voice or musicianship that counts, but the quality of our intention (kavanah). However…
Oneg Nigun
Music & audio © Alexander Massey, 23 March 2014 In Jewish life, we take joy seriously! We are reminded that, on Shabbat especially, we should be joyful, prompted by the verse from Isaiah 58:13 – “and call the Sabbath a delight…
Naomi’s Nigun
Music & audio © Alexander Massey 14 May 2016 The melody is based on the nusach for the haftarah blessing on shabbat morning. It has 50 notes, in honour of my friend Naomi’s 50th birthday!
Nigun Chakartani vaTeida – Nigun meditation on Psalm 139
Music & audio © Alexander Massey, 26 Oct 2018 Music’s role is often to express or explore what cannot be put into words. I wrote this nigun at a time when I found myself soul searching and questioning, and wanting to…
Omer Day 7 – Malchut of Chesed
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 20 May 2014 Many years ago, someone commented to me that I didn’t always say ‘thank you’ when it might have been appropriate. I was shocked, and embarrassed. I was convinced I was grateful.…
You have all been shown what is good
Music and recording © Alexander Massey 19 May 2016 The sheet music is available for purchase as part of ‘Five Sacred Chants’. There is a shorter introductory article about the music and meaning of this chant here. “You have all…
V’asu Li Mikdash and the ‘holiness project’
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 16 Feb 2017: V’asu li mikdash v’shochanti b’tocham. Recording with English words: “We’ll make You a holy home, and You will live with us.” Buy the sheet music: $2.25 (approx. £1.80), minimum 4 copies…
Ashrei Yoshvei Veitecha
Music and audio © Alexander Massey 13 August 2015 Siddurim (prayerbooks) place the Ashrei in various different places in the sequences of morning and afternoon prayer. For me, emotionally, it feels good to open davenen (praying) with just its first…
Tashlich
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey Sept 2014 Buy Tashlich – sheet music – 2 part round, optional guitar – includes full instructions for group circle dance – £3.25 The sheet music for this is available for purchase as part of…
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