Re: Nusach

[Carol Delton <carold...>]

Not to raise too fine a point, but in our ancient tradition of diverse
viewpoints, traditional chazzanim do argue about various aspects of the
melodic realization of nusach.  A dispute about the ending for the
weekday cadences is alive and well in the SF Bay Area.

But the overall association of certain nuschaot with certain services,
readings or prayers is the main point, which in many ways has more in
common with eastern than western music, like the concept of raga in
Indian music.  That spiritual connection with time and occasion is what
I am afraid of us losing in Jewish worship.

Regarding congregational tunes, the most skillful chazzanim I've heard
weave them into and out of the nusach and choose tunes that musically
complement the nusach of the particular service, generally in what we
would call the same "key,"  (major, minor or phrygian), and often
including some motives as well.  Nusach can also be participatory!

CLD