Re: Sephardic instrumental music

[Owen Davidson <owend...>]

Joel,

Let me tell you of a suspicion that I have which is based on neither research
(which I have not done) nor Academic Standing, (of which have I none).

I do love and have studied musical instruments in their evolution and in their
contribution to the various musical cultures that surround, engender, and inform
them.

Everything I have learned about the use of instruments in music indicates that 
the
instrument is an appliance, a mute enabler or potentiator, whose method of use 
is
informed by the societal need it serves.  Only when the use of a certain 
instrument
is proscribed, for whatever reason, does it fall into question on a cultural 
level.

Music lives in its own self, and is served and embellished by whatever physical
artifacts are to hand.  If three generations of Hawaiian Jews sing zmiros to the
chuckling strains of a ukulele, then there is a case for traditional acceptance.
Only in the dire and unpredictable case of a halakhic proscription should we
refrain from our rejoicing, with whatever tool we have to hand.

Joel Bresler wrote:

> Chevra,
>
> We're having a discussion over in the early music list that may interest
> some folks, and I could use some assistance as well. My understanding is
> that Sephardic musicians are widely believed to have been present at the
> court of Alfonso X, el Sabio and other Catholic monarchs. I suppose they
> would have played all manner of instruments and some believe they
> contributed melodies as well, in a court/Christian setting. But I have no
> evidence that these instruments were used to accompany ANY flavor of
> Sephardic music.
>
> Later on, there is also no doubt that Sephardim participated fully in the
> world of Ottoman court music. But again, it was of Turkish music, not
> Sephardic music.
>
> A correspondent replied:
>
> >Hm ... is there evidence that Sephardic folk (or other non-liturgical) music
> >avoided instruments, as you've said was the case with the liturgical
> >music?  I'm
> >not sure I understand the argument that musicians who both played and 
> >composed
> >for instruments in their professional sphere would have studiously avoided
> >ever
> >using those instruments at home or in their home communities (though their 
> >use
> >in a religious setting is another matter of course).  Is it just that
> >there's no
> >evidence of whether (or how) they used them, if they did?  It's a very
> >speculative suggestion, of course (and I don't even know what body of music
> >survives from the times we're talking about) but some speculation might be
> >reasonable.
>
> Can anyone help out?
>
> Best,
>
> Joel
>
> Joel Bresler
> 250 E. Emerson Rd.
> Lexington, MA 02420 USA
>
> Home:           781-862-2432
> Home Office:    781-862-4104
> FAX:            781-862-0498
> Email:          jbresler (at) ma(dot)ultranet(dot)com
>

--
Owen Davidson
Amherst  Mass
The Wholesale Klezmer Band

The Angel that presided oer my birth
Said Little creature formd of Joy & Mirth
Go Love without the help of any King on Earth

Wm. Blake


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