Mom Egg

Along with a group of talented lyricists, humorists, and poets, Rosalie Calabrese will be reading from her song lyrics in the Mom Egg, a new book is a multigenerational look at all sorts of issues from the mom's point of view.
Friday, May 18, 2007 – 5:00-7:00 PM
KGB Bar
85 East 4th St. (2nd Ave.) NYC
The Mom Egg book launch
and Mamapalooza celebration: music, poetry, and more –
books will be available for purchase ($15.00)
— and a Daisy guitar will be raffled off!
free admission, open seating

Discovering Jewish Music in Paperback

Discovering Jewish Music By Marsha Bryan Edelman
is now being released in Paperback

You can read a review of this book by the JMWC at http://www.jmwc.org/jmwc_bookandscore_reviews.html

Preview the Preface
<http://www.jewishpub.org/pdf/Jewish%20Music%20Preface.pdf> (PDF)

Preview excerpts from Chapter 8 <http://www.jewishpub.org/pdf/Jewish%20Music%20chp%208.pdf> (PDF)

Jewish music from the Bible to the present, with musical illustrations and an audio CD Most of us have experienced "Jewish music," whether it's through synagogue attendance, a bar mitzvah celebration, a klezmer concert, or the playing of "Hava Nagila" at a baseball game. The many different kinds of Jewish music are reflected by the multitude of Jewish communities throughout the world, each having its own unique set of experiences and values. This book puts the music into a context of Jewish history, philosophy, and sociology.

Edelman begins 3,000 years ago, with a discussion of music in the Bible, and then examines the nature of folk and liturgical music in the three major Diaspora communities that evolved over centuries, after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. From there she explores music of the 20th century, including the explosion of popular music in North America and Israel and its impact on Jews and their musical identities.

About the author
Marsha Bryan Edelman is a professor of music and education at Gratz College in Melrose Park, PA. She has a doctorate in music and music education from Columbia University.

Bo Shir Ivri , Come Thou Hebrew Song-- A NEW BOOK

The publication of a new book "Bo Shir Ivri (Come, Thou Hebrew Song) - Songs of the Land of Israel: Musical and Social Aspects" (Haifa University Press, 2005) by Dr. Talila Eliram, will be celebrated in the auditorium of the music dept. at Bar Ilan University, on Wednesday, 22 November, 2006, 7:30pm. Free admission. Please confirm your participation (or leave a message) at either: 08-9432870, or 054-8032870

Irving Fine - An American Composer in His Time

A new book about Irving Fine, by Phillip Ramey was published a few months ago by Pendragon Press. Fine was the Brandeis University composer who founded the Music Department and began the landmark performing arts festival at Brandeis. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Richard Wernick, who studied under Fine at Brandeis, wrote the Forward. This book is being published by Pendragon Press in association with The Library of Congress. ISBN: 978-1-57647-116-0 It's part of the Lives in Music Series No. 8 called Irving Fine - An American Composer in His Time

Funny, It Doesn't Sound Jewish

A book review of Jack Gottlieb's new book published in association with The Library of Congress: Funny, It Doesn't Sound Jewish: How Yiddish Songs and Synagogue Melodies Influenced Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and Hollywood now appears on The Jewish Music WebCenter at http://www.jmwc.org/jackgottlieb.html

"Purimshpil" guidebook book published

A book "Purimshpil. Scenario for work at Klezfest in Ukraine, 2005" (Kiev: The Center of Jewish Education in Ukraine. Jewish Music Department, 2005) was published for the recent "Klezfest in Ukraine, 2005" event. The book has been prepared using Moisey Beregovsky's materials from his "Jewish folk musical theatrical performances" (Kiev, Institute of Judaic Library, Publisher "Duh I Litera", 2001). The book was released for the use of musicians and teachers in concert work and education. The Purimshpil was directed by Alina Ivakh, scenario composed by Eugenia Lopatnik, music by Polina Shepherd and traditional. Klezfest 2005 website (in Russian)klezmer.com.ua/events/info10_1.php

Union of Reform Judaism releases Manginot, Vols. 1 and 2

COMPLETE JEWISH SONGBOOK FOR CHILDREN: MANGINOT, VOL. 1 & 2
Magnificent Jewish music for children ages 2 to 13, The Complete Jewish Songbook for Children series provides lyrics, chords, and melodies for hundreds of well-loved Jewish songs for children. Ideal for home and classroom, these volumes feature thematic categories (Jewish holidays, Israel, Holocaust, prayer, and more) to help you find appropriate music for any occasion. Introduce children of all ages to the joy of singing with the help of The Complete Jewish Songbook for Children. For information, call 888.489.8242 or visit www.urjpress.com.

THE COMPLETE JEWISH SONGBOOK FOR CHILDREN, VOLUME 1
Featuring more than 200 Jewish songs, this volume includes classics like "Am Yisrael Chai," "Eema-Aba," and "L'chah Dodi." Organized by theme to help you find the right song quickly, this volume includes songs on Jewish holidays, songs about Israel, songs about growing up, and much, much more.
No. 991700 Paperback ISBN 0-8074-0820-4 $39.95

THE COMPLETE JEWISH SONGBOOK FOR CHILDREN, VOLUME 2 (NEW!)
Brand new, this thematically-organized volume features more than 180 contemporary and traditional Jewish songs composed by today's foremost songwriters-Doug Cotler, Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, and more-and newer songwriters like Stacy Beyer, Kim Harris, Lisa Doob, and Jonathan Bayer.
No. 993250 Paperback ISBN 0-8074-0822-0 $39.95
Contact Info: 633 Third Avenue * New York, NY 10017 * 212.650.4120 * 888.489.8242 *

Fax: 212.650.4119

NEW BOOK: ALEXANDER BROTT: MY LIVES IN MUSIC

The memoirs of Alexander Brott, distinguished Canadian conductor, composer and violinist, have recently been published. Alexander Brott: My Lives in Music, written with co-author Betty Nygaard King of Ottawa, relates Alexander Brott’s long and rich international career in classical music.
Alexander Brott: My Lives in Music relives the maestro’s performances at home and abroad with major international stars like Sir Thomas Beecham and Jean-Pierre Rampal, and covers Brott’s exhilarating tours to Europe, the USSR, the Far East and South America. As well, the book recounts his relations with great Canadians like Pierre Trudeau and Maureen Forrester. These entertaining memoirs relate the unique life story of one of Canada’s highest achievers. (Sadly, Alexander Brott passed away April 1.)

The book is receiving excellent reviews. WholeNote Magazine said “This delightful memoir effectively conveys the distinctive voice of this audaciously colourful character.” La Scena Musicale magazine wrote, “Reading it is like having a leisurely conversation with the renowned maestro.” The book is available through Chapters/Indigo, or directly from either Mosaic Press (info@mosaic-press.com) or from Betty King. For further information, contact Betty at bettynk@rogers.com or 613-947-2703 (w).

Nigun Anthology Vol 1

New Book released by Transcon... Nigun Anthology.
*Unique, diverse compilation of wordless Jewish melodies (nigunim) and liturgical settings
*Features nigunim from folk tradition and contemporary composers/songwriters
*Includes Notational index by melody line & foreword by ethnomusicologist Judah Cohen

*Transcending history, language, and society, the nigun - or wordless Jewish melody - helps unify us in worship or around the Shabbat table. Nigunim have long served to spark the spirit: 18th century Chasidim sang nigunim to create a mood of holiness; in today's liberal Jewish worship service, the nigun helps shift focus to prayer from the concerns of the outside world. Now, Transcontinental Music introduces the first comprehensive anthology of inspiring nigun melodies, available in a songbook with CD and on CD alone. Purchase Songbook with CD
ITEM=993265
Purchase CD only:
ITEM=950114

Chazzones aan het Nederlands Israelitisch Seminarium

Stichting Eliezer Foundation in The Netherlands has just published:
W.G.S. Bornstein, Chazzones aan het Nederlands Israelitisch Seminarium, de historie van de Hollandse Cantoropleiding (Stichting Eliezer: Amsterdam 5765 / 2004), 38 pages.
Available through:
Stichting Eliezer
Loevestein 118
1082 XL Amsterdam
The Netherlands
s.bornstein@worldonline.nl

UNDER ONE CANOPY

"Under One Canopy: Readings in Jewish Diversity" edited by Karen Primack is the subject of a Literary Reading Evening. UNDER ONE CANOPY also includes music lyrics which includes musical notes...

Sunday, February 29, 2004, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., a Literary Reading Evening will be held @ T'mol Shilshom bookstore Cafe (Kosher-Dairy) Restaurant, Rehov Yoel Solomon 5 (Near Zion Square), Nachlat Sheeva, Jerusalem, Tel. 02-623-2758 to celebrate publication of the new book (prose & poetry), "Under One Canopy: Readings in Jewish Diversity" edited by Karen Primack of "Kulanu". Out of 50 writers in this book, who participated in this 2002 Kulanu International Writing Competition, 10 writers live in Israel & will read! 1. Schulamith C. HaLevy 6. Hadassah W. Harr-Ell 2. Gloria Mound 7. Michael Freund 3. Yitzchak Kerem 8. Emma Kimor 4. Sue Tourkin-Komet 9. Gila Green 5. Loolwa Khazzoom 10. Ruth Fogelman

Call for papers

The Eurovision Song Contest: Popular Music, Media, and Politics With the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest approaching, we invite submissions for a collection of essays dealing with this popular culture phenomenon from a wide range of historical, sociological, and theoretical perspectives...

Founded in 1956 as an annual televised event unifying Europe through music, Eurovision is widely celebrated by its fans and just as widely disparaged by its critics. The event is replete with contradictions and border-crossings of all kinds. A French minister of culture called it "a monument to drivel," while one contestant later became the Norwegian minister of culture. Voting patterns reveal deep-seated alliances and animosities (Turkey often votes for Germany's song, but never for Greece), while recent wins by Estonia and Latvia demonstrate the arrival of "new Europe." In 1979, Eurovision was held for the first time outside of Europe, in Jerusalem; twenty years later an Israeli transsexual's victory crossed the borders of gender identity as well. Significantly perhaps, Eurovision is one of Europe's largest and longest-running media productions that has never been broadcast in the United States. Specific historical, sociological, and theoretical perspectives might address the following: - How are changing aspects of "Europe" reflected in the Eurovision Song Contest since its founding in the post-war decade, or since Europe's post-Wall expansion? - Case studies on participating countries, performers, songs, musical styles, language choice, cultural references, voting results, critical reception - The notion of border-crossing: political, musical, linguistic, aesthetic, or otherwise - Theoretical approaches to media spectacle, popular music, nationality, performativity - Technologies of fan culture: television broadcasting, telephone voting, record collecting, Internet websites - Europop aesthetics: kitsch or camp, humor and parody, tribute bands - Comparable institutions: The San Remo Song Festival (founded in 1951), Intervision (the former East Bloc answer to Eurovision), World Pop Idol, etc. Please reply to both Ivan Raykoff (raykoffi@newschool.edu) and Robert Tobin (tobin@whitman.edu). Ivan Raykoff Prof. of Arts in Context (Music) Eugene Lang College/New School University 65 West 11th St. New York, NY 10011 Robert Tobin Prof. of Foreign Languages and Literature (German) Whitman College Walla Walla, WA 99362

YIVO bleter

YIVO bleter, New series, vol. IV has a lot of new material on Eastern European Jewish folklore, folk songs, theater performances, and more. Chana Mlotek's annotated publication of 42 folk songs is included....

These are mostly love songs and ballads. There is also material on Moyshe Beregovsky's purim-shpiln. Mark Slobin, Itsik Gottesman, Robert Rothstein have writings. There is an index to former columns Chana and Joseph Mlotek column from the Forverts. It's available at the Jewish Book Center of the Workmen's Circle. www.jewishbookcenter.com or

The Musical Tradition of the Eastern European Synagogue

Sholom Kalib's 5-volume project makes possible the existence of one centralized, definitive place and resource to the vast and major musical, cultural, and historic legacy of the Eastern European synagogue...

Ruth Eisenberg from Baltimore writes:
The first volume of a projected 5-volume work entitled The Musical Tradition of the Eastern European Synagogue was recently released by Syracuse University Press. Its subtitle is History and Definition, and it is designed to provide a concise history of the tradition in its totality. For hundreds of years, the music of the Eastern European synagogue, which is the musical heritage of the overwhelming majority of the world's Jews was integral to the daily fabric of Jewish life.
The 5 volumes together will provide a thoroughly comprehensive history, verbal explanation, and documentation (including all of the notated music), and facilitates an unprecedented capacity for thorough, in-depth exposure to and study of the tradition in its entirety. This work truly amounts to nothing less than rescuing a vast cultural treasure from near certain oblivion. I think people should know about this and that the first volume is now available. Volume I provides a 277-page text with an accompanying 227-page volume of illustrative examples. It traces the roots and component liturgical, philosophical, musical, and vocal elements of the tradition, accured in the periods and places of its history. To the best of my knowledge, no comparable work exists. The existing anthologies usually deal with specific subjects, such as compositions by one cantor, or the artistic compositions for cantor and choir. But thus far no anthology was able to represent the Eastern European tradition in its multi-faceted richness. Sholom Kalib's work does just that, and I know it will excite the interest of music scholars and performers, Jews and non-Jews, who will be interested in this as a contribution to the history of liturgical music in general.

There are two books that comprise Volume I. Part One is text, and Part Two is a book of notated music that are illustrative examples.