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 & audio © 2024 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) On Shabbat morning, as part of the Amidah blessings, we sing prayers in a call and response. Every prayer tradition has different texts for the parts that the leader recites, so I had to choose which
Kedushah (Blessing the holy name of God) Read More »
Music & audio © 2024 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) This piyut (poem) by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (11th century) can be a great way to sing ourselves awake. At dawn I seek you, my rock and my refuge; I lay before You my morning and evening
Shachar Avakeshcha (At Dawn I Seek You) Read More »
Music and audio © 21 May 2023 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) “May the words of my mouth, and the song in my heart, be pleasing to you, my God, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Ps 19:14) These words are used at the end
Yih’yu L’ratzon (May the Words of My Mouth) Read More »
Music and recording © Alexander Massey, 20 June 2022 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) Just over two years ago, I wrote a penitential, yearning setting of this text (Adonai, Adonai No.1) inspired by a conversation with Rabbi Anne Brener. Just recently, I have been studying the books and lectures of Rabbi
Adonai Adonai No. 2 (The 13 Attributes of Compassion) Read More »
These are my favourites! Comins, Mike (2010) Making Prayer Real: leading Jewish voices on what prayer is difficult and what to do about it [Inner meanings & practices.] Grishaver, Joel Lurie (2012) Stories We Pray: insights into the inner work of Jewish worship [A hugely rich resource for imagination, kavanah-intentions and meanings to make the prayers
Books on Jewish prayer practice and meditation Read More »
Composition & audio © Alexander Massey 29 Nov 2020 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) This is a ninth century text that uses four names of God in each verse, in the same order they first appear in the Bible. The song has five verses. I feel these as five different
Ein Keiloheinu No.2 (There Is None Like God) Read More »
Music and recording © Alexander Massey, 19 May 2020 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or 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
Adonai Adonai No. 1 (The 13 Attributes Of Mercy) Read More »
‘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
Composing Jewish sacred music – part 7/7 Read More »
‘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
Composing Jewish sacred music – part 6/7 Read More »