[HANASHIR:10897] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock

[Shirona <shirona...>]

Chas V'chalila we shouldn't have a "nusach police" - but I still think that we 
should, as "kol Yisrael arevim ze laze" (all of Israel are accountable for one 
another) - discuss appropriateness.

One of the guiding principals in my musical career has been the relationship 
between text and music. There IS a relationship, whether one is conscious of it 
or not, and just like in human relationships - occupy the full spectrum from 
the sublime to the ridiculous. My particular view can be compared to that of a 
filmmaker, who is trying to tell a story, and everything in the production is 
geared towards telling that story in the best possible way, with a vision and a 
point of view. When all the parts work together and enhance each other, and you 
have a good story to tell - well then - you have a work of art that will last 
through time, and continue to deliver it's message.

If you  (whoever!)  were making a documentary film about the creation of the 
Universe, even if it was "pure science" - with no mention of G-d...would you 
use a tune like "Rock around the clock" as background music?  Probably not... 
But why not?  "Artistic" decisions have no absolute right or wrongs, but -  
"hamevin yavin".  (If you get it, you get it).  You can argue forever whether 
something is in "good taste" or in "bad taste" - and sometimes there is no 
taste at all. Just bland nothingness. I know plenty of Synagogue music that 
falls into that category.

Why should the process of matching a tune with existing lyrics be different?  
The words say something...they mean something. Shouldn't we concern ourselves 
with that meaning?  My point is that the musicians among us need to be extra 
sensitive.  Anyone can take an existing poem and match it up with some silly 
ditty. Is this what we want to give people as "tools" for worship?

I don't know.  I feel sorry for Adon Olam. It got stuck at the end of the 
service, and thus thrown to the dogs. Perhaps if it were right in the middle of 
the Amida ( so Rachel -  would it then be OK to ponder the "unknowable, 
indefinable aspects of the Creator", or would it still be "too much" for the 
Jews...;-) - then it would "get more respect". Maybe it's a matter of 
"placement status", like rank, or real-estate. (location is everything).  We 
wouldn't dream of saying the Sh'ma to the tune of Rock & Roll, right? Why not?  
(G-d is our "Rock", and we worship him "around the clock").

All I'm saying here is that Adon Olam happens to be one of the most magnificent 
poems ever written about G-d, and that it should be treated with dignity and 
respect, and not be considered a "free-for-all-do-whatever-you-want-with-it" 
afterthought. And it's just my opinion.

Please don't take me too seriously...only Adon Olam.  Toda Raba!

Shirona 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
 Visit my website at    www.shirona.com
Listen to my music at www.mp3.com/shirona
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: WINSTON WEILHEIMER 
  To: listhanashir 
  Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 6:16 PM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:10894] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock


  This is not a criticism of Shirona's position, but Adon Olam, like licha dodi 
has many different melodies set to it.  On the Nusach Internet Radio Network, I 
have dedicated shows to the different versions and filled the hour with much 
music to spare.  Beat achon has an "under the boardwalk", safam "blue moon" and 
i sing it sometimes to "its a small world"  

  Of course you have to be aware of the setting and the appropriateness of the 
version you are singing.  I would not use it for the high holidays, preferring 
to use the more traditional versions.  But who is to say (except by local 
minhag) what is ok and what is not....I use craig taubman's licha dodi in one 
congregation and it was well accepted,,,,when i used it in another, the stony 
looks could have frozen me to the bone.  

  Let's not get too caught up in "what is proper."  Shirona's Yigdal is 
beautiful and i love to play it on the air, but its not THE traditional melody 
for it.  Let's not limit creativity by becoming the nusach police! 

  There is a time and a place...

  btw...I kind of like the interpretation of God being our rock and we praise 
him around the clock!

  rabbi winston weilheimer
  host/owner
  THE NUSACH INTERNET RADIO NETWORK
  NUSACH....the ORIGINAL JEWISH SOUL MUSIC!
  http://www.angelfire.com/art2/nusach



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