[HANASHIR:8184] Re: Avot/Gevurot melodic origins

[Erik L. F. Contzius <contzius...>]

>From: "Rachelle and Howard Shubert" <notfranz (at) total(dot)net>
>As I prepare to learn the Shabbat morning Avot/Gevurot for a 
>congregation at which I am just about to start leading the music, I 
>am struck by the differences between the melodies from one 
>congregation to another.  I have looked carefully through Zamru Lo, 
>Spiro's Shabbat Service and Gates of Song and have not found these 
>particular melodies.  Can anyone enlighten me as to the origins of 
>the various melodic approaches to these prayers?

Please remember that chants like the Avot and G'vurot were not 
intended to be congregational, as they were chanted by the Hazzan in 
the Khazarat haShatz (repetition by the shaliakh tzibbur [prayer 
leader]). Therefore, it is no wonder that their "melodies" vary from 
one notation to another, and vary from congregation to congregation. 
They were freely chanted during the repetition, with the tzibbur 
(congregation) chanting "Barukh hu uvarukh sh'mo" and "amen" at the 
appropriate places, but the chants for Avot, G'vurot, etc, were 
improvised sponaneously, and would even vary from week to week.

BUT

they would ALWAYS be in the proper prayer mode! In the shabbat 
morning service, they (the avot & g'vurot) should be in Hashem Malakh 
mode, which is basically a major scale with a lowered seventh (i.e. 
like a C major scale with a B flat before the top note of the scale), 
and the subtonic (note below the first note in the scale) raised. As 
well, the mode has certain patterns that should be followed and 
repeated, as Hashem Malakh is more than a scale, but contains many 
motives, which vary depending on what part of the service one is in.

To answer the question about where to find notations: The most common 
notation of the nusakh (prayer mode, for want of a better 
translation) that is used in American synagogues, it is found in a 
book written by Cantor Adolph Katchko (a.k.a. the Blue Book). In 
there can one find a notation of the chants for Avot & G'vurot, but 
always bear in mind, all it is, as well as any other cantorial 
notation, is a notation of something that was intended to be 
improvised and sung solo by the Hazzan during the repetition.

Perhaps with this knowledge, someone would take on the dubious task 
of writing a real congregational Avot (avot v'imahot?), since it has 
become customary now for the entire cognregation to chant it as a 
whole. We most certainly do this with the g'vurot, for those of you 
who sing the "Trad." melody of Max Wohlberg (who wrote that little 
ditty when he was 18, according to the midrash).

hope that helps. 'nuff said.



-- 
Cantor Erik L. F. Contzius
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
Elkins Park, PA
contzius (at) home(dot)com

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