Sung by The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble and narrated by Leornard Nimoy, this disc presents 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and their original version of "I Have a Little Dreydle."
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Customer Rating: Summary: Tells the story through an excellent performance -- 10 stars! Comment: This is the third in a series of National Public Radio concerts of fine music for the Jewish holidays (the first two being for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) performed by Western Wind Ensemble. Unlike the previous two, which are a capella, the selections on this CD are accompanied by a variety of musical instruments. This is because, while instrumental music is traditionally forbidden on the High Holy Days, there is no such prohibition for Hanukkah. In fact, there are relatively few rules about Hanukkah observances in general. The lighting of the Menorah is central to everyone's celebration, of course, but beyond that, different communities have expressed the story in a variety of musical styles, in multiple languages, with different foods and customs. The selections on this CD are an ecelectic collection of pieces from Sephardic, Chassidic, Ashkenazic and Israeli traditions, sung in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and English. Some are folk tunes, some are almost arias, some are modern arrangements of verses from Isaiah, Psalms, and the Jewish liturgy. A delightful smorgasbord!
The narration was written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik and performed by Leonard Nimoy. (The narrative tracks are separate from the music, so you can skip them if you just want the concert without commentary.) The story begins with the historical account of the Maccabean resistance to the Greek tyrant Antiochus, then continues through various themes and customs for Hanukkah from around the world, ending with the familiar children's dreydel. For each section, appropriate music is used, with a brief summary of the song's theme in English. The liner notes also include complete translations. But even without knowing the languages, you will catch the spirit of these songs. Some are solemn such as the medieval Spanish lament describing the martyrdom of Hannah and her Seven Sons; some are triumphant, such as the well-known "Maoz Tsur"; some are humorous children's songs, such as "We Come to You, Children," about a candle, a dreydel and Hannukah Gelt (money). Together they attest to the strength and creativity of Jews to survive against all obstacles. Which, when all is said and done, is the real message of Hanukkah. A ten-star performance for adults as well as "the kinder."
