Mail Archive sponsored by
Chazzanut Online
jewish-music
Specificity of Jewish music
- From: Helene Century <helene...>
- Subject: Specificity of Jewish music
- Date: Fri 18 Oct 2002 23.46 (GMT)
Dear members of the list
I am established in Montreal. I am a Jewish singer, singing traditional
songs from Sephardic and Yiddish traditions, some Israeli pieces as well
as liturgical music.
I sing sometimes as a cantorial soloist in the Reform synagogue.
There is a group called "Dialogue judeo-chretien" (Jewish-Christian
dialogue) with which I have collaborated for a few years. This coming
December they asked me to do little conference about the role of music in
the Jewish tradition. At the same time a monk will talk about christian
(catholic) music.
According to the context, the accent is more the role of music in the
religious realm of Jewish life. I thought of doing a talk in 3 parts
- The role of music in general
- The specificity of Jewish music (historical, musical, social...anything
I can think of)
- What are the main differences between the Christians (mainly the
catholics) and the Jews towards music.
Being also a music therapist, I have no problems with the first point,
but I would love to have some suggestions for the other points. I have a
lot of information at hand but I get a little overwhelmed and start
wondering if I am not getting lost in details losing the most important
points. I have to talk for 30 minutes.
I am also interested in a specific point which might not even be relevant
for this conference and it is the relationship between rabbi and cantor.
I read a long time ago that the cantor was like a counter-power for the
rabbi which explains that these relationships are often conflicting. But
I don't remember where this comes from, neither in which context.
I am open to any suggestions. The conference is in the beginning of
December so there is still some time to read and think. I thank in
advance all of you who will take time to share their knowledge and
opinions with me.
Sincerely
Helene Engel
Email : helene (at) total(dot)net
---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+
- Specificity of Jewish music,
Helene Century