[HANASHIR:4725] Re: Traditional or "Mi Sinai" melodies

[QuelliPG <QuelliPG...>]

yes, let's not be so quick to throw those chestnuts into the open fire... 
(sorry) there's something very comforting about going to an unfamiliar 
synagoguge in a new city or even country and hearing at least SOME familiar 
melodies.  As for the melody sounding like a German beer song, we must 
remember that those were the folk melodies that were floating around at the 
place and time that Gerovitch lived.  Just as today we "borrow" ideas from 
folk, pop, classical and other melodies that we hear.  it's pretty hard to be 
completely original, especially when trying to write singable stuff.  
Electronic and new age music doesn't really work for adon olam.  
Ever tried to teach Schonberg's adon olam?  (just kidding, don't think there 
is one)  

my personal opinion is that new melodies are great (I write some too) but we 
need to find a careful balance.  not ALL new melodies are appopriate for the 
synagogue, particularly synagogues that don't use musical instruments.  not 
all use the words in a traditional manner (traditionally, certain words are 
not repeated), some are great for camp and sunday school but maybe not 
shabbat morning...   and going back to my first sentence, there is something 
to be said for consistancy  from one syn. to the next.  -  Our cantor has 
written some beautiful tunes for ein keloheinu and adon olam and sim shalom.  
He loves to do them.  but he alternates them with the "traditional" melodies 
so that when our congregants go visit another synagogue, they won't be lost!  
  

my 2 cents....
Raquel

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