Klezmer

Klezmer (כלזמיר, from Hebrew k'li zemer כלי זמר, "instrument of song") is a musical tradition which parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. Around the 15th century, a tradition of secular (non-liturgical) Jewish music was developed by musicians called klezmorim. They drew on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, and their musical legacy of klezmer continues to evolve today. The repertoire is largely dance songs for weddings and other celebrations.

Melodic modes

Klezmer is usually played in shtaygerim, prayer modes of the synagogue. They are closely related to but distinct from Balkan modes.

Related Topics:
Shtaygerim - Synagogue

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Since klezmorim often had to perform for long events, it was difficult to keep the instruments in tune, especially the many-stringed cymbalom. This was not a great obstruction, since melody — not harmony — is the focus of klezmer. In fact, slight dissonances in harmony help give klezmer its character.

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Ahava Rabboh

Ahava Rabbah means "Abounding Love" in Hebrew, and refers to a prayer from the daily morning prayer service (shacharit). It is built on the fifth degree of the harmonic minor scale, with a descending tetrachord to the tonic being the most characteristic final cadence. It is also called the "Freygish", a Yiddish term derived from the German "Phrygisch", or Phrygian mode. It is considered the mode of supplication. Usually it is found in Khassidic music. It is similar to the Arabic Hijaz maqam.

Related Topics:
Ahava Rabbah - Daily morning prayer - Yiddish - German - Phrygian mode - Khassidic - Hijaz - Maqam

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Mi Sheberach

Mi Sheberach means "He who blessed" in Hebrew, from the Mi Shebarach prayer, recited after the honor of being called to the Torah reading. It is also called the Ukrainian, Altered Ukrainian, Doina, or Altered Dorian. It has a raised fourth, and is used for the doina, an improvised lament.

Related Topics:
Mi Sheberach - Dorian - Doina

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Adonoy Moloch

Adonoy Moloch means "the Lord reigns" in Hebrew. It is common in traditional synagogue services (they are the beginning words of many of the Psalms). It is similar to the Western Mixolydian mode and the Arabic Siga Maqam.

Related Topics:
Adonoy Moloch - Synagogue - Psalms - Mixolydian - Siga - Maqam

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Mogen Ovos

Mogen Ovos means "our forebears' shield" in Hebrew. Is an older mode from the synagogue, derived from the Friday night prayers. It is similar to the Western natural minor scale and the Arabic Bayat Maqamat and Bayat-Nava.

Related Topics:
Mogen Ovos - Synagogue - Friday night prayers - Minor scale - Bayat - Maqamat - Bayat-Nava

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Yishtabach

Yishtabach means "it shall become superb" in Hebrew (from the daily morning services). It has a frequent lowering of the 2nd and 5th. It is related to Mogen Ovos, above.

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