[HANASHIR:10910] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock

[Jennifer Stevens <srtalina...>]

Sidenote of interest:

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that Adon Olam originated in the 
High Holiday liturgy.  When it was added to the daily and Shabbat liturgy, 
it had a position in the early part of the service.  It was later moved to 
the end - maybe as a way to bring us full circle or to end the service on a 
more upbeat note.

B'shira,
Jennifer


>From: "Shirona" <shirona (at) bellatlantic(dot)net>
>Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: [HANASHIR:10897] Re: Adon Olam to Rock Around the Clock
>Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 22:46:08 -0500
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>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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