From its opening words and notes, Kol Nidrei stirs the heart and mind, and pulls at the guts. Those first notes mark the point of no-return, when we cross from Ordinary Time into Yom Kippur. For the next 25 hours, we will step outside time. We’ll sit in community, search our innermost selves, review our […]
Kol Nidrei Paradox 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 »
Music and Audio © 2022 Alexander Massey – All Rights Reserved Download the free sheet music (voice & piano, including lead sheet) ;הוָה, אוֹרִי וְיִשְׁעִי–מִמִּי אִירָא .יְהוָה מָעוֹז-חַיַּי, מִמִּי אֶפְחָד :אַחַת, שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת-יְהוָה– אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ ;שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-יְהוָה, כָּל-יְמֵי חַיַּי .לַחֲזוֹת בְּנֹעַם-יְהוָה, וּלְבַקֵּר בְּהֵיכָלוֹ Translation God is my light and my refuge secure — whom shall
Adonai Ori / Achat Sha’alti (God is My Light / Only One Thing I Ask) Read More »
Traditional words and music arranged by Alexander Massey for voice and piano © 2022 Hayom, Hayom (Rosh Hashanah) Al Hanisim (Chanukah) Mah Nishtanah (Pesach)
Three Festival Songs Read More »
Music and audio © Alexander Massey 10 June 2019 Download the free sheet music (voice & optional piano or guitar) This was composed for a Psalms Concert for the Society for Old Testament Study Conference in July 2019. These verses are an important part of Yom Kippur liturgy, with the themes of sin and mercy,
Barchi Nafshi (Bless God, O My Soul) Read More »
Music and Audio © Alexander Massey 13 Sept 2018 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar, or 3 unaccompanied voices) Han’shamah lach v’haguf pa-alach, chusah al amalach. Han’shamah lach v’haguf shelach, Havayah, aseih l’ma-an sh’mecha. The soul is Yours and the body is Your workmanship; have compassion on what You have created;
Han’shamah Lach (The Soul is Yours) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 13 August 2015 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano or guitar) The sheet music is also available as part of ‘Five Sacred Chants’. ןְטַהֵר לִבֵּנוּ לְעָבְדְּךָ בְּאֶמֶת “Purify our hearts, that we may serve You in truth.” When, in the morning, we say, ‘Elohai, n’shamah sh’natata bi,
V’Taheir Libeinu (Purify Our Hearts) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey Sept 2014 Download the free sheet music (round for 2 voices & piano or guitar), with movements for accompanying circle dance I think of this chant as ‘sing as you fling’! At Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the new year, the whole community is encouraged to a place of
Tashlich (song/round & circle dance) Read More »
© Alexander Massey 9 Oct 2008 Contact me to request the free sheet music (2-4 voice round). I wrote this originally as a musical meditation to prepare for leading Mincha (the afternoon service) at Yom Kippur 5769 (2008) with the London Ruach Chavurah community (Jewish Renewal). Some commentators on the Book of Jonah have said
Nigun Yonah (chant for Yom Kippur mincha) Read More »