Re: Passion Plays and Jewish Music

[Fred Blumenthal <xd2fabl...>]

Many of us are familiar with the Oberamergau (sp?) Passion Play, and the
subject of passion plays in general has certainly touched a nerve.  I've
agreed with Ms. Winkler's initial response, and also with the writer who
suggested asking for Christian musical suggestions for a play about the
Inquisition.  Much of the history of the Jews living in Christian Europe
has been unpleasant to say the least, but many non-Jews remain insensitive
to certain topics, such as the absent-minded use of the word "crusade."

But I have to wonder if the original questioner is overlooking "diamonds in
his/her own back yard."  Many of us, including those professionally
involved in Jewish music, have Euro-centric musical educations.  We learned
a historical continuum beginning with Gregorian chant and dealing
exclusively with European music, at least through the 19th century, and
frequently dominated by the church.  If the Bach passions, for instance,
are held to be the epitome of that art, why look for something obscure
instead?  After all, they aren't performing the play in Aramaic.

Fred Blumenthal
xd2fabl (at) us(dot)ibm(dot)com



                                                                                
                                 
                      "Helen Winkler"                                           
                                 
                      <winklerh (at) hotmail(dot)c        To:       World music 
from a Jewish slant                       
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                      06/18/2002 10:10 AM                                       
                                 
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Thanks for your votes of confidence and also for the suggestions of
alternate music to use.  That was the next question of the person I was
speaking to; ie, if Israeli music isn't appropriate, then what should be
used instead?  Then they wanted to know what the dancing would have looked
like back then--My understanding is that no one knows how dances were done
in that era, but that there are a few hints here and there in the bible
that refer to dancing.
Helen




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