Music of the Jewish Days of Awe
The Ten Days of Awe are the most holy period in the Jewish calendar.
This will be subject on ABC’s Spirit of Things program on Sunday presented by Rachael Kohn
From the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year – to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, long days of prayer, study and fasting are held in synagogues around the country.
Rachael Kohn
And as rabbis and cantors lead the congregation, voices soar in prayer.
At Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney, the choral director is former opera star Andrea Catzel.
She tells Rachael about the different prayers that are sung, including Avinu Malkeinu, Kol Nidre and even a version of The Mamas & The Papas song Creeque Alley.
We also hear from Alexander Tsaliuk, the founder and artistic director of the Moscow Male Jewish Capella.
He tells us how the Russian choral tradition – especially in the Orthodox Church – has its roots in the Jewish tradition.
And, we hear the incredible story of the Capella’s emergence in the last days of communism under Mikhail Gorbachev.
They’ve since performed for the Queen of Denmark, the Norwegian Royal Family and even Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others.
The Capella will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.
Music:
Shalom Aleyhem, by The Moscow Jewish Male Capella, from ‘Kaleidoscope’
Avinu Malkeinu, sung by Barbra Streisand, from ‘Higher Ground’
Libera Me (from Requiem Mass) by Guiseppe Verdi, sung by Andrea Catzel with Cape Town Symphony Orchestra (June 1990)
Kol Nidre, sung by the Emanuel Synagogue Sydney choir, live recording by Oliver Einfeld & Dominik Kelly
Avinu Malkeinu, sung by the Emanuel Synagogue Sydney choir, live recording by Oliver Einfeld & Dominik Kelly
Creeque Alley/L’Adoni Na Arets by the Mamas and the Papas, sung by the Emanuel Synagogue Sydney Choir, live recording by Oliver Einfeld & Dominik Kelly
Sh’ma Yisrael, by cantor Azi Shwatz and Park Avenue Synagogue choir
Havdala, by The Moscow Jewish Male Capella, from ‘Kaleidoscope’
Ierushalaim Irho, by The Moscow Jewish Male Capella, from ‘Kaleidoscope’
Shen Har Ve Nahi, by The Moscow Jewish Male Capella, from ‘Kaleidoscope’
O Sole Mio, sung in Russian by Misha Davidovich Alexandrovich
Kol Nidre (All Vows) by composer Max Bruch
On ABC Radio National Sunday 6pm Repeated: Thursday 12pm, Saturday 3am
