Comments (0)

By Recorded Sound Archives, April 16, 2024 3:54 pm

Delve into the enduring melodies of Passover traditions. As Passover approaches, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. It’s a time for reflection, celebration, and the joyous sharing of traditions with loved ones. At the Recorded Sound Archives at FAU Libraries, we invite you to embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Passover melodies. Moreover, explore our extensive melodies of Passover collection of vintage recordings.

Our archives hold hauntingly beautiful tunes of yesteryear. They also feature lively renditions of classic Passover songs. Whether you seek the soul-stirring sounds of a cantor’s prayer or the cheerful melodies of a family Seder, we have something for you.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the melodies of Passover with recordings dating back decades. Experience the warmth and nostalgia of bygone eras. Listen to the voices of generations past. Each note carries echoes of tradition and history.

Moreover, among our collection, you’ll find a diverse array of recordings showcasing the breadth and depth of Passover music. From traditional Hebrew hymns to folk songs from around the world, each recording offers a unique perspective on this beloved holiday.

Discover the soulful ballads of renowned cantors, the spirited songs of community gatherings, and the heartwarming melodies of family celebrations. Moreover, with just a click, you can transport yourself to a different time and place. You’ll be surrounded by the music that has united generations of Passover celebrants.

Delve into Timeless Melodies of Passover

1. Kiddush for Passover by Jan Peerce
2. La Juive-o Dieu, Dieu De Nos Peres (Passover Music) by Giovanni Martinelli
3. Passover – Ehad mi yodea / Had gadya – Part 4 by Emanuel Rosenberg
4. Eliyahu Hanavi by Benjamin Maissner
5. Kil-Oy – (Passover Medley) by Samuel Malavsky

Whether you’re preparing for your own Seder or simply looking to enrich your understanding of this sacred holiday, our vintage recordings are a valuable resource. Therefore, why not take a moment to explore the melodies of Passover with us? Let the music guide you on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and connection to the timeless traditions of the Jewish people.

Join us as we celebrate the beauty and significance of Passover through the power of music. Start listening today and embark on a musical odyssey through the melodies of Passover like never before.

Comments (0)

By Recorded Sound Archives, December 7, 2017 1:49 pm

Have you recently typed “Chanukah” into Google? No….please go and try now and discover the beautiful animated image Google’s put together to celebrate Chanukah.

Here at the Recorded Sound Archives we celebrate with music, sharing over 50 Chanukah albums for you to enjoy with family and friends. The Songs of Chanukah Collection consists of what is considered traditional, children’s songs that teach about the holiday and a few old favorites with a new twist.

There is a little bit of something for everyone in this collection, so please share it with friends and family. In years prior we’ve highlighted the voice of Gladys Gewirtz and Kenny Ellis.

This year on the Recorded Sound Archives website we are highlighting the voice of Margie Rosenthal and Ilene Safyan, who were brought together by a mutual love of Jewish music in 1979 and are both featured performers on the Recorded Sound Archives website. The music on their album Just In Time for Chanukah is a blend of old and new melodies and words, and we think you’ll enjoy them this holiday season.

Click here to view this collection.

Click here to learn more about Margie Rosenthal and Ilene Safyan and their music.

Please note, due to copyright some of these recordings may only play for 45 second snippet to give the user a taste of what this music sounded like back in the day, if you are interested in full access considering applying for Research Station Access. Access to Research Station is limited to educators, students and serious researchers.

Comments (0)

By Recorded Sound Archives, September 14, 2015 2:25 pm

In years past, the Recorded Sound Archives Judaic collection or the Judaica Sound Archives as most know it has highlighted the music of Leibele Waldman, Gershon Sirota and Moishe Oysher for the High Holy Days along with some of today’s finest cantors.

This year the Recorded Sound Archives has created a High Holy Days collection for you to  share and enjoy with your family. Included in this collection is a mixture of cantors, and other musicians such as Shimon and Ilana Gewirtz, Ramon Tasat and Cindy Paley.

Click here to view this collection.

Click here to view past blog posts on the High Holy Days.

Comments (0)

By Alethea Perez, March 31, 2015 6:16 pm

Passover is all about retelling the story. And what better way to celebrate than to enjoy this modern day interpretation of an old story.

Our Passover gift to you! This Passover-themed parody of Uptown Funk by Six13. It is so catchy, it just might get stuck in your head all through Passover, which begins the evening of April 3 and ends the evening of April 11.

The Recorded Sound Archives has compiled a mix of Passover songs that the whole family can enjoy.  From Cantorial splendor to children’s play-songs, music expresses the heart of the Jewish people. Give Jewish music a special place in your home for the  holidays.

In the past we’ve highlighted each album, individually, this year we’ve created a special collection featuring all of our passover music: https://rsa.fau.edu/passover-collection All the songs  in this compilation can be heard all year long on the RSA website.

Comments (1)

By Recorded Sound Archives, November 18, 2013 9:07 am

The last time it happened was in 1888. Chanukah and Thanksgiving…..at the same time!

Some might call it “Thanksgivukkah.”   But whatever you call it, you can be sure that it won’t happen again for tens of thousands of years to come.

This year American Jews may be enjoying crispy, hot latkes with their Thanksgiving turkey. Sounds like a delicious combo to me. Yummmm.

Yet, despite this year’s rare opportunity to celebrate a double dose of survival and gratitude, some things will always remain the same. The Story of Chanukah reaches back in time way past the struggling Pilgrims on New England’s rocky coast. It reaches back to 167 BCE when the Syrian king Antiochus desecrated the Temple and outlawed Jewish practices. The five sons of the Jewish priest, Mattithius, were incited to revolt. Chanukah celebrates their victory and the miracle of the light that lasted for eight days during the Temple’s  re-dedication.

This year the Judaica Sound Archives has created a special Chanukah Sing-a-long video featuring one of the songs sung by Gladys Gewirtz from Menorah’s “Chanukah Song Parade” album. Menorah Records which produced phonograph recordings during the 1940s and 1950s was a pioneer in producing recordings for Jewish children.

Comments (1)

By Recorded Sound Archives, July 21, 2011 3:01 pm

When Barry Serota’s life suddenly ended because of a heart attack in November 2009, the world of recorded Jewish music lost one of its most respected professionals.

Barry Serota, a practicing attorney and executive director of the Institute for Jewish Sound Recording, died suddenly November 16, 2009 on a plane flight between New York and Madrid on the way to Israel.

Serota, widely known for his deep knowledge of Jewish music, had produced more than 100 recordings of Jewish sacred and secular music. Serota’s output at the Institute, based in Chicago, included choral, instrumental, folk and art music. Serota was especially known a promoter of chazzanut. Starting in 1969, he issued many esoteric Jewish music recordings under the imprint of Musique Internationale.

Serota, an advisor to the Milken Foundation, worked on their large project of the Library of American Jewish Music, the recordings which were published under the Naxos label. He was also involved in the Foundation’s oral-history project, for which he interviewed many of the leading figures in Jewish music.

Serota earned degrees at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, and received a law degree from De Paul University of Chicago. He lectured widely, including numerous professional and academic organizations such as the Cantorial Council of America, HUC (Hebrew Union College), TACI (Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute), and the Museum of the Diaspora.

At the time of his death, Jeffrey P. Lieuwen wrote, “I hope the enormous collection he leaves behind will fall into good hands, so it will be preserved for generations to come.” I hope Mr. Lieuwen and others will be pleased to learn that Barry Serota’s mother, Mrs. Blanche Serota, has donated his entire personal collection to the Judaica Sound Archives at FAU Libraries.

Comments (0)

By Recorded Sound Archives, September 11, 2009 7:44 pm

On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed: how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created….But during the Days of Awe, Repentance, Prayer and Charity can avert a severe decree.

Some of Judaism’s most beautiful and compelling music has been inspired at this sacred time of year.  The importance, emotion and solemnity of the music of the Holy Days represent the highest achievements of the cantorial art. The Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University Libraries is proud of its outstanding collection of cantorial recordings. During the next few weeks the JSA will highlight some of the great cantors of the past and present singing the music of the High Holy Days.

The incredible lyrical tenor voice of Cantor Leib Glantz evokes the feeling and intensity of the old “Ba’al T’filoh” of Eastern European Jewish communities. Through his voice and his compositions we can be transported through time to an era long gone, but not forgotten.

Born in Kiev (Ukraine) in 1898, Cantor Leib Glantz lived in the USA from 1926 to 1954 when he was able to fulfill his dream of moving to Israel. He died on January 27, 1964 in Tel Aviv. He was the last, and perhaps the greatest cantor of the “Golden Age of Chazanut.”

The quality of his musical education, his penetrating knowledge of the Hebrew language, and his deep philosophical religiosity, enabled him to create musical interpretations of the prayers that brought new light and meaning to every word. “The words he sang seemed destined to rise like angels into the heavens. To listen to him was like witnessing a man speaking to God! He had a voice that sang like no other voice. Many cantors have tried to imitate his singing, but few have felt they have succeeded.”

Glantz combined his cantorial art with fervent and tireless Zionist activism. He edited a Zionist newspaper and was a leader in the Zionist movement in Eastern Europe, the United States, and finally, Israel. Leib Glantz was a great scholar who explored the origins of Jewish music and firmly established the historical continuity of Jewish music from its beginning in the Holy Temples of Jerusalem to modern times. He also founded an Academy for Cantors in the Tel Aviv Institute for Jewish Liturgical Music.

Click here to listen to this album