reprise - Akiva Ben-Horin

[r l reid <ro...>]

Once again, fried from working on the cars and preparations for Purim at a
shul that is either dying or about to be reborn, I find myself listening
spellbound to the music of flutist Akiva Ben-Horin.

Which, I've been corrected, *is* available in the US, your local Judaica or
frum-pop store may not carry it but (who else) Simon at Hatikva has it.

Anyway.  As an aAmerican, every ten minutes or so I start wondering if I'm 
being seduced by newage musik - but this is not that, despite the pace and 
the instrumentation.  It is deeply felt interpretations of many classic old
world tunes, uninterpreted by the American immigration experience.

Moussa Berlin wrote to indicate that Ben Horin no longer works in music.
I only hope he has found a higher or more appropriate expression; and if
not, that he'll be back one day.

This particular almbum is not a whole group like the last one I wrote about,
but simply flute with piano accompiment from the capable and soulful 
Lieb-Yaacov Riger.

The cassette is "Recital of Jewish Music".
"Tune from Rosov" is awesome, as the the Gasn Nigun from Kiev that he learned
out of Beregovsky (no, not the Gasr Nigun played endlessly in rivivalist 
circles, not that  don't love to play that one).

I don't think I can even comment on his "Four Gates" - not the name its usually
known by in American, but if you've read Valvel Pasternaks explanation of the
tune under the name he publishes it, the title Four Gates may give it away.

Never heard it quite like this.  Look, I'm actually theologically hostile
to Chabad, especially after they invaded my town and...well, you don't need
the details.  But I love this tune and I love the way Ben Horin and Riger
play it.  They do transport me, which is the point.  It reminds me of the
way I try (and fail, but I try) to play it late late at night...

-- 
r l reid        ro (at) rreid(dot)net


---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+