A nigun is, at its simplest, any melody. However, in my own music, I use this word only when it is wordless, and, most importantly is carefully structured to take the singer(s) and listener(s) on an emotional and spiritual journey, shaped with a specific intention. I have written much more about this in my articles, …
Music and recording © Alexander Massey 18 July 2020 – All Rights Reserved A musical meditation on the morning blessing for moving mindfully through the world. “In blessing, I kneel to you,coming to the threshold of is-ness/presence,our source of all powers,that rules all that is and eternity;you firm up my steps,giving me your strength and …
Hameichin Mitzadei Gaver (‘… who makes our steps firm’) Read More »
Music and recording © Alexander Massey, 19 May 2020 BUY the sheet music – $3.95 (voice & guitar, optional vocal harmonies) In May 2020, during the lockdown, I was attending a morning meditation session run by Rabbi Anne Brener in the USA (4.30pm for me in the UK!). She asked us how we were feeling, …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 7/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) Bibliography Printed articles
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 6/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) PARDES (‘paradise’) In order to be able to answer those questions, lyricists and composers must …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 5/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) ‘God is in the detail’ So, as a composer and occasional lyricist for sacred music, …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 4/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) Making music ‘holy’ – kodesh When Moses encountered the burning bush, he first had to …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 3/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) ‘Music as Theology’ and ‘Music as Midrash’ The first part of this subheading is a …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 2/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) ‘Reaching out without dumbing down’ The UK Reform Rabbi Jonathan Magonet has suggested: “We are …
‘God is in the detail’: a composer’s perspective on crafting modern Jewish sacred music – part 1/7 Pt-1 Pt-2 Pt-3 Pt-4 Pt-5 Pt-6 Pt-7 (Bibliography) Prayer, words and music For 40 years, I have been exploring the …