Suggestion needed for Hebrew or Jewish melody

[sherry-lenox]

Could anyone suggest a phrase of melody from Jewish ritual practice or culture that would immediately suggest grief or tragedy to the informed listener?

Thank you!

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

Avinu Malkenu

[faye-fishman]

Hi

I disagree with Avinu Malkenu. That’s “Our Father Our KIng” and is for the Sabbath Service and daily service. It’s not associated with grief and tragedy.

Kol Nidre which sounds austere is supposed to be awe inspiring. So not that either.

Not sure what would be grief and tragedy, usually, there is an absence of music with grief and tragedy.

Maybe ask a local Rabbi or Cantor.

[faye-fishman]

Hi again,

Happened to see the Rabbi and asked. Avenu Malkenu and Kol nidre definitely not associated with tragedy or loss.

Jewish litturgical music is almost all devotional and celebratory. Only possiblity is music played during Yizkor service and ask a Cantor for those.

Hope that helps.

[andee-craig]

Asking a rabbi or cantor is definitely your best bet, but music from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ qualify? ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ isn’t tragic, but it is bittersweet….

[sherry-lenox]

I truly appreciate the comments. They have been both helpful and enlightening. Also, the choral version of “Avinu Malkenu” on YouTube is beautifully done.

I have realized that what I am actually needing is a phrase that could be chanted or spoken. The music is to memorialize the loss of a group of victims of a disaster, Jewish and Christian young people together during an unexpected catastrophic event. I originally considered using a fragment of familiar music, but now I have decided to use music that I have written if I can find meaningful phrases to honor the two traditions.

The music has already been composed, and will accomodate a short phrase. Is there a line or statement from the prayer that accompanies the lighting of the Memorial Candle that might work?

Thank you once again for responding to my request. The project I have undertaken is dear to my heart, and I am eager to honor the unfortunate young people appropriately.

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

You definitely need the advice of a cantor, or other expert on Jewish music. I chose Avinu Malkenu because it is deeply moving, and beseeching. Eili, Eili has deep associations for people. Really, it sounds like you want the mourner’s Kaddish. There are also songs, not liturgical music that might have the desired effect, and the contrast of something uplifting might be right. Ani Maamin was composed on the trains to the death camps. Etz Chaim is another song of faith.

[patricia-jaeger]

Hebrew Melody, composed by Joseph Achron and transcribed by the late violinist Efrem Zimbalist for violin with piano accompaniment, is very sad. The dedication is “To the memory of my Father”. Two directions at the beginning are Tranquillissimo dolente (very calm and grieving) and ‘con suono pieno e piangendo’ (with a sound full of weeping). It may be that by a search you would find the original to be for piano, or orchestra, etc. My copy years ago was 60 cents from G. Schirmer Inc., New York.

[faye-fishman]

Sunrise Sunset is very beautiful but often sung at weddings at many times used as a dance for bride and father. That might be too hard for a parent to listen to at a memorial service; Even psalms would need to be appropriate, for ex. Dodi li is for weddings. Asking a cantor would be your best bet for something like this.

[gabrielle-wolf-stahl]

Etz Chaim.
Etz Chayim (Tree of Life): http://youtu.be/5xKUdXDNKuw

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

Ask one question, get many answers, that’s our tradition, and you will also find no matter what you do, someone will criticize it.

[Alison]

I am not partic knowledgeble and happy to delete this posting…….
Listen to Bloch’s Schelomo -(my spelling is questionable), oh and Schindler’s List (film music) unless you specifically don’t require other compositions; sounds like you want a real theme to start from.

[sherry-lenox]

Please don’t delete ANY suggestions. From the many that I recognize, they all have a special place in our musical lives, and all are worthy of consideration.

[nadav-kon]

It is most recommended to find Sunita Stanislaw’s arrangements.
She has beautiful arrangements for most popular Jewish and Israeli songs.

You can get them from her directly and I think some harp stores in the US keep them too

http://www.sunitaharp.com/

Regards,

Nadav

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