RE: What Makes Music Jewish

[Adrian A. Durlester <durleste...>]

> >>I am Jewish. I make music. That music is Jewish. Period. End of discussion.
> >>
> >>I am Jewish. Music others create touches my Jewish soul. That music is
> >>Jewish. Period. End of discussion

I am glad to know that, once again, I have dutifully filled my role as gadfly. 
I am not foolish enough to believe that those simple statements are definitive. 
But at least they sparked some realistic commentary (for the most part.)

I agree with Neil that those definitions might be a bit broad. But I believe 
they illustrate how difficult it is to pigeonhole Jewish music into a clear 
definition.

Regarding using the inclusion of trope/nusach as a defining criteria fir Jewish 
music: I feel that is way too narrow. Cantillation is not a constant-it has 
varieties, styles and regional differences. And if I choose to set a prayer or 
psalm to new music, what makes that music and less inherently Jewish simply 
because it does not use an existing mode of music recognized as Jewish and 
liturgical?

Once again, I ask-how do we know what melody was sung at the shores of the Reed 
Sea? For all we know, it could have been something later reincarnated as the 
melody for some current pop song. Would the moment have been any different if 
the tune is one we now know as some trite little ditty? Of course not. Why are 
any of the current incarnations of the Mi Chamocha in song any less Jewish than 
the one originally used?

Adrian

durleste (at) plains(dot)nodak(dot)edu
Adrian A. Durlester, Production Manager
Festival Concert Hall, North Dakota State University
Director of Music & Religious Education, Temple Beth El, Fargo, North Dakota
Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  72507(dot)471 (at) compuserve(dot)com  
adriand (at) aol(dot)com