Music and audio © 2021 Alexander Massey Download the free sheet music Galut – ‘exile’ – has been a recurring theme through Jewish history. We have been expelled from many countries over the centuries. I don’t ascribe to the idea that Jerusalem belongs exclusively to Jews any more than it does to anyone else, but […]
Nigun Galut (Exile Nigun) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 15 March 2021 Download the free sheet music (voice & drone) Genesis lists 70 descendants of Noah after the crisis of the Great Flood, and from this, Jewish tradition has it that there are 70 nations of the world, and that we all come from one family. This nigun has
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,
Here is a collection of quotations and teachings from various sources that hopefully give an insight into a Chassidic perspective on music; there is a fluidity in the teachings between song, melody, melody with words and melody without words, and instrumental music. There are also a few references and thoughts outside the Chassidic world, that
Nigun, kavanah and Chassidism Read More »
Music & audio © Alexander Massey, 23 March 2014 Download the free sheet music (1 or 2 voices & optional guitar chords & descant) 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
Nigun Oneg (Nigun of Delight) Read More »
Music & audio © Alexander Massey 14 May 2016 Download the free sheet music (voice & piano) 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 Naomi (for Shabbat morning) Read More »
Music & audio © Alexander Massey, 26 Oct 2018 Download the free sheet music 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 reach out to God. In turning towards God, I felt
Nigun Chakartani vaTeida (You Have Searched Me Out and Known Me) Read More »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 8 March 2011 Download the free sheet music (1 or 2 voices & piano) The music for this came to me in the week of Tisha B’Av (the 9th of the month of Av), the day that marks many sadnesses for the Jewish people – the date it is
Nigun Nachamu Nachamu (comforting at Tisha B’av) 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 »
Composition and audio © Alexander Massey 1 September 2008 Download the free sheet music I wrote this after coming back home from my first ever experience of a Limmud conference, camping in a field in the heart of the English countryside, where I heard the most amazing gig that mixed Israeli and Sephardic music. One