Here’s a selection of my music that can be used for morning blessings and P’sukei d’zimra (verses of song). Ashrei Yoshvei (Ps 84:5) Elohai N’shamah Halleluyah #1 (Ps 150) – and if you want a 4 part round in ‘old style’, try Halleluyah #2 Ki L’Olam Chasdo (Ps 136) Mah Gadlu (Ps 92:6) Modeh Ani Naomi’s […]
P’sukei d’zimra & morning music Read More »
Music and audio © 2 Dec 2023 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Listen/view on YouTube. Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) אֱלהַי נְשָמָה שֶנָתַתָ בִיטְהורָה הִיאנֵר יְהוָה, נִשְמַת אָדָםחֹפֵשׂ, כָל-חַדְרֵי-בָטֶןכִי-אַתָה, תָאִיר נֵרִייְהוָה אֱלֹהַי, יַגִיהַ חָשְכִי Chorus: My God, the soul you have given me is pure. [Berachot 60b, morning prayer]Verse 1: The
Neir Adonai No.2 (Candle of God) Read More »
Invocation for strength, and songs of hope Adonai, Adonai No.2 – Invoking God’s 13 attributes of mercy – connecting directly with those qualities that we want to experience, and embody them, emphasising the warmth of God’s love. Adonai Roi (Ps 23) – Yah is my shepherd … Ana B’choach – A mystical poem, using seven
Jewish songs in a time of crisis Read More »
Original songs by Alexander Massey The Four Children – A fun song that use two voice parts, one very simple and repetitive. Ki L’olam Chasdo (Ps 136) – Verses from the Great Hallel, including refrains that I very quick for people to pick up around the seder table. Oseh Shalom (Ukraine lullaby) – When the
The Cantors Assembly in the USA has a wonderful monthly online gathering called SongSwap, showcasing liturgical songs and songwriters, and the methods and songs of cantors working with congregations around the country. The theme for January 2023 was ‘Songs for Social Justice in Honour of Martin Luther King (MLK) Day’. Looking through my own catalogue,
Social justice songs Read More »
Light is apparently mentioned only 36 times in the Torah (B’nei Yissascher on Kislev and Tevet 1:6). It is mentioned many more times in the Talmud, and especially the mystical text of the Zohar. We are taught that the soul of a each person is part of the light of God (Proverbs 20:27). There are
Themes of Light – A Collection Read More »
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) I wrote a completely different setting of Or Zarua during the same
Or Zarua No. 2 (Light is Sown) Read More »
Music and audio © November 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) אוֹר, זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק, וּלְיִשְׁרְי לֵב שִׂמְחָה “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Ps. 97:11) This inward, contemplative setting could almost be a lullaby. I wrote a completely different
Or Zarua No.1 (Light is Sown) Read More »
All of these pieces have been composed for and/or sung at services or events commemorating the Shoah / Holocaust. Adonai Roi (Ps 23) – Setting of the original Hebrew for voice and guitar (‘The Lord is my shepherd’) B’makom she’ein anashim (Pirkei Avot 2:5) – “In a place where there is no humanity, strive to
Shoah & Holocaust Music Read More »
Here is a list of my musical settings for the Shabbat morning service. It includes solo pieces, duets, congregational music, chants, rounds, and full choral settings. Much of it can work unaccompanied as well as accompanied, while some work better with accompaniment.
Music for Shabbat Shacharit Read More »