[HANASHIR:14777] adon olam

[erik contzius <contzius...>]

it's so refreshing to hear others say what i'm
thinking. thank you carol, for your sensitivity to the
liturgical poetry of "adon olam." just because a text
is strophic (as in this case) or appears strophic
(like "l'kha dodi"), doesn't mean it should be treated
with a simple melody and repeated over and over.
Everyone should take some time in their week and read
the TRANSLATION of adon olam. it is a powerful poem,
one that is difficult to express fully in a simple
melody. many do not know that the "traditional" melody
(by Gerovitch and NOT a drinking song like many
assume--btw, same goes for ein keloheinu--NOT a
drinking song but by Freudenthal. i hate it when
people go by folkloric legend on this point) has more
than just the initial melody to it. there is a whole
second half of the song, through composed and tailored
to the meaning of the text--it in fact ends in the
major (God is with me, I shall not fear!). 


> But with all the music that's being written
> speciifically as Jewish music 
> with melodies shaped by liturgical words and their
> meanings, I would much 
> rather introduce congregants to a new Adon Olam
> composition written to be a 
> new Adon Olam composition than to a song which was
> written with a far 
> different intent but which happens to work well with
> the words of the 
> prayer.
> 
> My 2 cents, respectfully submitted:  I see Jewish
> music as a spiritual art 
> form.  The words and the melody shouldn't
> coincidentally fit together.  They 
> should be purposely fit together.
> 
> Shabbat shalom.
> 
> -- Carol


and on the following poster's point... adon olam was
not deigned to be the national anthem, but neither was
it deigned to become a liturgical joke--college kids
singing it to gilligan's isle, etc. perhaps someone
should compose one in english and see where it takes
them...


> Adon Olam was not deigned to be the national anthem
> it has become. In the
> Orthodox and some Conservative siddurim it comes
> before Birkat HaShahar, way
> at the very beginning of the service. L'fi dati, a
> little reggae will not
> hurt it and may help.

also, just one man's opinion.
erik

=====
Cantor Erik L. F. Contzius
New Rochelle, New York

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