Rosh Hashanah songs are diverse, as are Yiddish folk songs. Chazzanut (cantorial singing)also has different styles. The lovely Yiddish song performed here, also known as "A Din Toire Mit Gott," arguably falls into all these genres. It is sung in this recording by Marc Berman, bass-baritone. 

The origin of this Jewish folk song is as follows: The early Hasidic leader Rabbi Levi Isaac of Berdichev (Bardichev) (1740–1809 )was known for his intercession with the Almighty on behalf of his people. It is said that he composed and recited this Yiddish song before he served as the cantor (prayer leader) on Rosh Hashanah. Indeed, the song ends with the words of the Kaddish, the first mandatory prayer that the cantor recites. The Kaddish's traditional melody is a highlight of Rosh Hashanah services and Rosh Hashanah prayers (as well as Yom Kippur services and Yom Kippur prayers). 

Like the best Yiddish music, and, more specifically, Yiddish songs, this piece has been recorded multiple times, albeit in different arrangements. These include a recording by opera tenor Jan Peerce (albeit in a different arrangement, that of Leo Low.) 

In the song, Rabbi Levi Issac questions the suffering that the Jewish people has been forced to endure over the ages. He demands from the Almighty an immediate end to all the misery. 

Joel Engel (1868–1927), whose musical arrangement of "Kaddish of Rabbi Levi Isaac" is featured in this recording, was a music critic, composer and a leading figure in the Jewish art music movement. He was born in Russia (now Ukraine), and moved to Berlin in 1922, where he founded the Yuval music publishing house. He moved to the Land of Israel in 1924. Engel inspired a generation of Jewish classical musicians to rediscover their roots and create a new style of nationalist Jewish music, patterned after the nationalist music movements of Russia, Slovakia, Hungary and elsewhere. Engel studied law at the Kharkiv National University, and later, at the insistence of Tchaikovsky, who heard his compositions, entered the Moscow Conservatory. 

At first, Engel composed in the increasingly popular Russian nationalist style. However, after Vladimir Stasov, a leading advocate of Russian nationalism in art and music, literally shouted at him, "Where is your national pride in your own people?" Engel returned to his Jewish musical roots. Engle collected and arranged numerous Yiddish folk melodies.  On February 11, 1927, Engel died in Tel Aviv. 

Engel's musical works consist of piano solo, chamber works, and songs. Like others of the Jewish art music movement, Engel favored songs featuring, besides the vocalist, a small ensemble of piano and, sometimes, one other or several other instruments, such as violin or flute. Many of Engel's own classical songs are based on Jewish folk songs. He also wrote popular songs, which during his lifetime are said to have dominated Hebrew popular music in the Land of Israel.  (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Engel_(composer) )

Here is a translation of the song:

Good morning, Master of the Universe!

I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev have come to bring a claim against you for your people Israel:

What do you have against your people?

Why do you afflict your people Israel?

A misfortune happens, and you say "Command the children of Israel"!

A calamity occurs, and you say "Say to the children of Israel"!

A disaster  befalls us, and you say "Speak to the children of Israel"!

Dear Father, how many other nations are there?

Babylonians,

Persians,

and Romans!

What do the Prussians say?

"Our king is a true king!"

What do the English say?

"Our empire is a true empire!"

But, I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev say:

"Exalted and sanctified...

is Your Great Name!"

And I, Levi Issac, son of Sarah, from Berdichev say:

I will not move from where I stand...

until you end all this suffering and redeem us!

"Exalted and sanctified...

is Your Great Name!"

KADDISH FUN REBBE LEVI-YITZCHOK (A DIN TOYRE MIT GOTT) - YIDDISH SONG -  MARC BERMAN

Yom Kippur songs include Yiddish songs.  This Yom Kippur music concerns the end of the High Holidays. The title essentially means "Late Yom Kippur Afternoon."  Jewish music is eclectic.  The theme of this  Yiddish music is the mood that marked the close of Yom Kippur services in Eastern Europe, and in particular the closing  Yom Kippur service (Neilah). The sense was that everyone's fate  was about to be sealed.  This theme also appears in many a Rosh Hashanah song and the Rosh Hashanah service. This song, as arranged, is basically classical music -- essentially akin to an opera aria. Or, if you will,  cantorial music  (chazzanut), or an art song.  Marc Berman is the bass-baritone soloist.

The  composer of this authentic Jewish music, Henry Lefkowitch (c. 1892-1959),  was a conductor and publisher of Jewish songs.  He ran  the Metro Music Company, publishing much sheet music. Lefkowitch studied composition with Ernest Bloch.  He wrote numerous Jewish art songs and some liturgical music. He even founded two orchestras.  Lefkowitch also  lectured on music on the radio. He published "Yom Kippur Tzu Minkhe" circa 1914. 

The text for the song is a poem by Morris Rosenfeld (1862-1923). Because Rosenfeld often wrote about Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe in New York's tailoring sweatshops, he is sometimes referred to as the "Poet of the Ghetto."

YOM KIPPUR TZU MINKHE - YIDDISH SONG -  MARC BERMAN

Yiddish folk songs are numerous, and this joyous Jewish song, though composed, has achieved the popularity of a folk song.  It is  among the best Yiddish music  by Mark Warshawsky. Here it is arranged for Klezmer ensemble and sung by Marc Berman. This  Klezmer version is based on a piano arrangement by H. Kopit.

This lively Yiddish  melody describes the near-ecstatic revelry that occurs at such a traditional Jewish wedding celebration. The Yiddish song title means "I'm giving away my  youngest daughter," i.e., "my youngest daughter's getting married."  The marriage of the youngest  child is regarded in traditional Jewish society as a particularly joyous event, as one of the primary duties of parenthood is to facilitate a child's marriage. 

The original piano arrangement  of this Yiddish hit by H. Kopit was published  in Berlin in 1912 by The St. Petersburg Society For Jewish Folk Music. The Society was part of the  Jewish art music movement that arose at the end of the 19th century in Russia. A number of of  Russian-Jewish classical composers aimed to preserve  Jewish folk music and also  to create Jewish classical music. The music composed by these composers fused classical music with  Jewish folk and liturgical music, such as  cantorial chant (chazzanut). Unfortunately, little biographical data appears to be generally  available about H.Kopit.

Mark Warshawsky (Varshavsky), 1848-1907,  who composed the words and melody of  "Di Mezinke Oysgegebn," was a  Jewish Russian lawyer. While not a particularly prosperous attorney, he left an enduring legacy of dozens of popular Yiddish songs, including the famous "Oyfn Pripetshik." Warshawsky's songs were promoted by the renowned Yiddish writer Sholom Aleichem.

DI MEZINKE OYSGEGEBN - LIVELY YIDDISH SONG - MARC BERMAN

Aliyah 2 (weekday)

Chayei Sarah

Music, original lyrics, and recording: Cantor Ben Ellerin © 2024
Text: Based on Exodus 13:8-9 from Parashat Bo, the Passover Haggaddah, and the Torah reading for Pessach Chol HaMoeid I.

וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יי לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם׃ 
וְהָיָה לְךָ לְאוֹת עַל־יָדְךָ וּלְזִכָּרוֹן בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה תּוֹרַת יי בְּפִיךָ כִּי בְּיָד חֲזָקָה הוֹצִאֲךָ יי מִמִּצְרָיִם׃ 

And you shall explain to your child on that day, ‘It is because of what the Eternal did for me when I went free from Egypt.’ 
And this shall serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead — in order that the Teaching of the Eternal may be in your mouth — that with a mighty hand the Eternal freed you from Egypt.

Tell Your Child by Cantor Ben Ellerin (Parashat Bo & Passover, Exodus 13:8-9)

Jewish songs convey the pathos of the Jewish history of pervasive persecution. This is true across genres, e.g., Yiddish music, klezmer, etc. .Perhaps no Jewish song conveys this  sad experience  more movingly than the memorial prayer "Kel Mole Rachamim" (translation below).  This Jewish prayer  is an appropriate theme for  Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). In that sense, it may even be considered a sort of  holocaust song itself. It is sung here by Marc Berman, in a musical setting by Louis Friedsell. 

Besides  the connection to Yom Hashoah, this music is also appropriate for performance on other holocaust memorial occasions,  such as International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the anniversary of Kristallnacht. 

Here is a full translation :
Merciful God in heaven, grant perfect repose to the souls of the those  who have passed to their eternal habitation, who in martyrdom have sanctified Thy name. May they be under Thy divine wings among the holy and pure who shine bright as the sky; may their places of rest be in paradise. Merciful One, keep their souls forever alive under Thy protective wings. The Lord is their heritage, may they rest in peace. And let us say, Amen!"

Keyl Moley Rachamim- Memorial Prayer - Hazzanut - Cantorial - Marc Berman  חזנוּת

The Aleinu prayer is one of the best-known parts of the services of  Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Its origin lies in the Musaf service of Rosh Hashanah. On the Jewish High Holidays, it is sung to a regal melody. The music  is a staple of cantorial singing. Indeed, it is one of the beloved pieces of Jewish music or of a Jewish song. Hazzan Marc Berman chants the prayer ihere.

Among Jewish songs  of praise and worship,  "Aleinu Leshabeach" is one of the most venerable.   This version is based on the notation of Louis Lewandowski. In this recording, Lewandowski's setting is modified, and this staple of the high holiday nusach (musical mode) has further been arranged  for orchestra. The orchestral introduction, played by French horn,  recalls the blasts of the Shofar that are sounded on the Jewish New Year. 

Aleinu  is found in both the Rosh Hashanah prayers and in the Yom Kippur prayers. Accordingly, it is recited at both Rosh Hashanah services and in the Yom Kippur services.

"Aleinu" Rosh Hashanah - Yom Kippur - Hazzanut - Cantorial - Chazzan Marc Berman חזנות

The Kiddush for Pesach evening, sung in the traditional nusach (chant).  The same tune is also used for Kiddush on Succot and Shavuot. Happy Passover!

This  this traditional Ashkenazi Kiddush chant is one of the most familiar in Chazzanut (Cantorial Music) and Jewish Holiday music.  In fact,  the melody, used originally for the Akdamut prayer on Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah,  is one of the best known across all genres of Jewish music, including Yiddish songs, Yiddish music, klezmer,  and cantorial singing. Indeed, the tune has been employed by composers  in various compositions, and is a staple of traditional Jewish music, Jewish holiday music,  and Jewish holiday songs. 

The nusach used here is employed both for Kiddush in the synagogue, and when the kiddush is chanted at home, at the Passover Seder. 

The chazzan (cantor) singing in the recording is Marc Berman.

Kiddush  for the Passover Seder - Traditional -  Hazzanut - Marc Berman -קידוש לליל פסח  - חזנות

Ki Hayom Kadosh (Lullaby for Ezra) by Cantor Ben Ellerin

Yiddish songs and Jewish music include, of course, Passover songs.  This joyous Passover music is presented here in a new recording, sung by Marc Berman . It may not exactly be a traditional Passover seder song, but it has the same rousing spirit as much seder music. The music and words are by Solomon Golub.

Golub’s songs were recorded (during his lifetime and after) by such leading singers  as Emma Shaver, Mascha Benya, Sidor Belarsky, and even the renowned cantor Yossele Rosenblatt. One could also add the renowned American operatic tenor Jan Peerce to the list. 

Curiously, "Burikes" apparently has not been widely recorded. More curiously, the few available recordings have been recorded by male singers, even though it is clear that the first line of the song is sung by a woman to her husband. Perhaps the interpretation is that the husband is recounting how his wife told him to obtain beets for Passover.

This channel dedicated to preserving rare Jewish music, especially Yiddish music, by recording it.  It is so important that seldom-heard Jewish songs from the past be preserved for future generations. Recording these songs is very expensive. Without your help, much of this great music may be lost forever. Please consider donating  a small amount (or, even better, becoming a monthly supporter) at www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics or www.patreon.com/CantorClassics . Thanks so much!

Among the immigrant composers of Yiddish art songs that had wide popularity during the first half of the 20th century, Solomon Golub was one of the most beloved. Golub performed his own songs in formal classical concert format, with piano.  Not infrequently, the audience would sing along.

As was common then, Golub sometimes wrote an additional, optional violin part for his piano-vocal scores. As no such part could be located for "Beets for Passover," the singer in this recording arranged one, based on elements of the piano part. 

Golub was born near Riga, Latvia in 1887. His father was a local ba’al t’filla (lay prayer leader).  His mother was also a singer. Golub’s mother was well acquainted with German lieder by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, and other classical composers.  She evidently passed this musical knowledge on to her son. As a boy, Golub sang in the choir of the Great Synagogue in Riga. That experience was also a large part of his musical training. 

Golub immigrated to the United States in 1906.  He continued his musical studies. 


At first, Golub wrote his own poems for his songs, as is the case for "Burikes," published in 1921. And he continued to do so even after he was able to set the verse of prominent poets. 


Golub set his songs simply, without complicated harmony or counterpoint in the accompaniment. His music is distinctively Jewish -- even apart from the Yiddish texts.  Many of his songs are infused with melodic and modal elements (and even quotations) of eastern European cantorial chant. 


 *The above biography of Golub was adapted from an article by Neil Levin found at  https://www.milkenarchive.org/artists/view/solomon-golub .

Passover Song: "Burikes Oyf Peysakh". ("Beets for Passover"). Yiddish Song. Hidden Gem. Marc Berman

Please support our recording  of vintage Yiddish songs and Jewish Music: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics  .  T I'm trying to help preserve classic Jewish Eastern European vocal music. Specifically, Yiddish music and chazzanus (cantorial chant). 

Please help support my  efforts by following me and posting my songs on  your social media. To reach me, send me a message through Soundcloud.

You can watch videos of some of my songs at https://www.youtube.com/c/CantorClassics .

Here are some of my concert reviews:

"Marc Berman came to us in full flower [with] ...the richness of his ...voice." - Saul & Evelyn Friedman, The Capital

""One of the finest voices ... which moved easily through its coloratura passages and also provided a well accomplished ... top...." - Iris Bass, Sightlines Magazine

"Marc Berman provided solid [singing]." - James Oestreich, New York Times

"Superb" -Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle-Times

 I'm also available for  concerts, and to officiate as chazzan at synagogue services, as well as at weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals. 

Thanks for listening!

Regards,

Marc Berman

Please support our recording  of vintage Yiddish songs and classic Jewish music like hazzanut: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cantorclassics  .  T I'm trying to help preserve classic Jewish Eastern European vocal music. Specifically, Yiddish music and chazzanus (cantorial chant). 

Please help support my  efforts by following me and posting my songs on  your social media. To reach me, send me a message through Soundcloud.

You can watch videos of some of my songs at https://www.youtube.com/c/CantorClassics .

Here are some of my concert reviews:

"Marc Berman came to us in full flower [with] ...the richness of his ...voice." - Saul & Evelyn Friedman, The Capital

""One of the finest voices ... which moved easily through its coloratura passages and also provided a well accomplished ... top...." - Iris Bass, Sightlines Magazine

"Marc Berman provided solid [singing]." - James Oestreich, New York Times

"Superb" -Susan L. Pena, Reading Eagle-Times

 I'm also available for  concerts, and to officiate as chazzan at synagogue services, as well as at weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals. 

Thanks for listening!

Regards,

Marc Berman

New tracks tagged #chazzanut