Mizmor Shir, by Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue

Mizmor Shir

by Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

Purchasable with gift card

name your price

1.	Yism’hu 02:24	lyrics	buy track
Yism’hu v’malkhut’kha shomrei Shabbat v’korei oneg. Am m’kad’shei sh’vi∙i, kulam yisb’u v’yitan’gu mi-tuvekha. Uva-sh’vi∙i ratzita bo v’kidashto, hemdat yamim oto karata zekher l’ma’aseh v’reishit. Those who celebrate Shabbat rejoice in Your kingdom and make the seventh day holy, calling it a delight. All of them truly enjoy Your goodness. For it pleased You to sanctify the seventh day, calling it the most desirable day, a reminder of Creation.
2.	Mizmor Shir 01:56	lyrics	buy track
Mizmor shir l’yom ha-shabbat. Tov l’hodot l’Adonai, u-l’zameir l’shimkha elyon. L’hagid ba-boker hasdekha, ve’emunat’kha ba-leilot. Alei asor va’alei navel, alei higayon b’khinor. Tzadik ka-tamar yifrah, ka-erez bal’vanon yisgeh. A Song for Shabbat. It is good to thank God, to sing Your praise, exalted God, to proclaim Your love each morning, to tell of your faithfulness each night, to music of the lute and melody of the harp. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; they shall thrive like the cedar in Lebanon.
3.	Adon Olam (Goldrich) 01:58	lyrics	buy track
Adon olam, asher malakh, b’terem kol y’tzir nivra. L’et na’asah v’heftzo kol, azai melekh sh’mo nikra. V’aharei kikhlot hakol, l’vado yimlokh norah. V’hu haya, v’hu hoveh, v’hu yih’yeh b’tifarah. V’hu ehad, v’ein sheni l’hamshil lo, l’hahbirah. B’li reishit, b’li tahlit, v’lo ha’oz v’hamisrah. V’hu Eili, v’hai go-ali, v’tzur hevli b’eit tzarah. V’hu nisi u-manos li, m’nat kosi b’yom ekra. B’yado afkid ruhi b’eit ishan v’a∙irah. V’im ruhi g’viyati, Adonai li v’lo ira. God eternal reigned before the birth of every living thing. When all was made as God ordained, God alone was known as King. When all is ended, God will reign alone in awesome majesty. God was, God is, God will be, glorious in eternity. God is unique, there is no other, there is none at all to be compared. Without beginning and without end, God’s vast dominion is not shared. God is my God, my life’s redeemer, my refuge in distress, my certain shelter, my cup of life. I place my spirit in God’s care, when I sleep as when I wake. God is with me, I shall not fear.
4.	Avot 03:36	lyrics	buy track
Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu veilohei avoteinu, elohei avraham, elohei yitzhak, veilohei ya’akov, elohei sarah, elohei rivka, elohei rahel, veilohei leah, ha-el ha-gadol ha-gibor v’ha-norah, el elyon, gomeil hasadim tovim, v’koneh ha-kol, v’zokheir hasdei avot, u’meivi go∙el livnei v’neihem l’ma∙an sh’mo b’ahavah. Praised are You Adonai, our God and God of our ancestors, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, great, mighty, awesome, exalted God who bestows lovingkindness, Creator of all. You remember the pious deeds of our ancestors and will send a redeemer to their children’s children because of Your loving nature.
5.	Adon Olam (Cohen) 03:11	lyrics	buy track
Adon olam, asher malakh, b’terem kol y’tzir nivra. L’et na’asah v’heftzo kol, azai melekh sh’mo nikra. V’aharei kikhlot hakol, l’vado yimlokh norah. V’hu haya, v’hu hoveh, v’hu yih’yeh b’tifarah. V’hu ehad, v’ein sheni l’hamshil lo, l’hahbirah. B’li reishit, b’li tahlit, v’lo ha’oz v’hamisrah. V’hu Eili, v’hai go-ali, v’tzur hevli b’eit tzarah. V’hu nisi u-manos li, m’nat kosi b’yom ekra. B’yado afkid ruhi b’eit ishan v’a∙irah. V’im ruhi g’viyati, Adonai li v’lo ira. God eternal reigned before the birth of every living thing. When all was made as God ordained, God alone was known as King. When all is ended, God will reign alone in awesome majesty. God was, God is, God will be, glorious in eternity. God is unique, there is no other, there is none at all to be compared. Without beginning and without end, God’s vast dominion is not shared. God is my God, my life’s redeemer, my refuge in distress, my certain shelter, my cup of life. I place my spirit in God’s care, when I sleep as when I wake. God is with me, I shall not fear.
6.	Ata V’hartanu 02:11	lyrics	buy track
Atah v’hartanu mikol ha-amim, ahavta otanu v’ratzita banu, v’romamtanu mikol ha-l’shonot, v’kidashtanu b’mitzvotekha, v’keravtanu malkeinu la-avodatekha, v’shim’kha ha-gadol v’ha-kadosh aleinu karata. You have chosen us from all the nations, You have loved us and found favor in us, and have exalted us above all tongues, and have sanctified us through Your commandments, and have drawn us close, our Sovereign, to Your service, and Your holy and great Name You have proclaimed upon us.
7.	V’shamru (Eldor) 02:00	lyrics	buy track
V’shamru v’nei yisrael et ha-shabbat, la’asot et ha-shabbat l’dorotam b’rit olam. Beini u-vein b’nei yisrael ot hi l’olam, ki sheshet yamim asah Adonai et ha-shamayim v’et haaretz, uva-yom ha-sh’vi∙i shavat va-yinafash. The people Israel shall observe Shabbat, to maintain it as an everlasting covenant throughout all generations. It is a sign between Me and the people Israel for all time, that in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day God ceased from work and rested.
8.	Ahavah Rabbah 02:42	lyrics	buy track
Ahavah rabbah ahavtanu, Adonai Eloheinu, hemlah g’dolah viteirah hamalta aleinu. Ba-avur avoteinu v’imoteinu shebat’hu v’kha va-t’lamdeim hukei hayim, kein t’honeinu u-t’lamdeinu. Deep is Your love for us, Adonai our God, boundless Your tender compassion. Our ancestors – men and women – trusted in You, and You taught them life-giving laws. For their sake graciously teach us, Merciful One, and show us mercy.
9.	Adon Olam (Robinson) 03:29	lyrics	buy track
Adon olam, asher malakh, b’terem kol y’tzir nivra. L’et na’asah v’heftzo kol, azai melekh sh’mo nikra. V’aharei kikhlot hakol, l’vado yimlokh norah. V’hu haya, v’hu hoveh, v’hu yih’yeh b’tifarah. V’hu ehad, v’ein sheni l’hamshil lo, l’hahbirah. B’li reishit, b’li tahlit, v’lo ha’oz v’hamisrah. V’hu Eili, v’hai go-ali, v’tzur hevli b’eit tzarah. V’hu nisi u-manos li, m’nat kosi b’yom ekra. B’yado afkid ruhi b’eit ishan v’a∙irah. V’im ruhi g’viyati, Adonai li v’lo ira. God eternal reigned before the birth of every living thing. When all was made as God ordained, God alone was known as King. When all is ended, God will reign alone in awesome majesty. God was, God is, God will be, glorious in eternity. God is unique, there is no other, there is none at all to be compared. Without beginning and without end, God’s vast dominion is not shared. God is my God, my life’s redeemer, my refuge in distress, my certain shelter, my cup of life. I place my spirit in God’s care, when I sleep as when I wake. God is with me, I shall not fear.
10.	Mi Shebeirakh 02:52	lyrics	buy track
Mi shebeirakh avoteinu, God of our people, and all who came before, Mi shebeirakh imoteinu, May your love and guidance open every door. Mi shebeirakh avoteinu, God of our people, whose strength will never cease, Mi shebeirakh imoteinu, May your love and guidance be a path to peace. L’dor va-dor, There comes an ancient yearning L’dor va-dor, No history can tame L’dor va-dor, And here and now We feel the seasons turning As a brand new spark is added To the world’s eternal flame. Mi shebeirakh avoteinu, Please bless this journey and all the joy it brings, Mi shebeirakh imoteinu, May your love and guidance fill the song he/she sings. L’dor va-dor, And in a distant future someday L’dor va-dor, May another chorus rise L’dor va-dor, And in that distant future someday May you see the light of knowledge In your son or daughter’s eyes. Mi shebeirakh avoteinu, God of our people, one thing we’re certain of From the seeds of faith and learning Grows a family never ending in its love.
11.	V’shamru (Enlow) 02:39	lyrics	buy track
V’shamru v’nei yisrael et ha-shabbat, la’asot et ha-shabbat l’dorotam b’rit olam. Beini u-vein b’nei yisrael ot hi l’olam, ki sheshet yamim asah Adonai et ha-shamayim v’et haaretz, uva-yom ha-sh’vi∙i shavat va-yinafash. The people Israel shall observe Shabbat, to maintain it as an everlasting covenant throughout all generations. It is a sign between Me and the people Israel for all time, that in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day God ceased from work and rested.
12.	L’dor Va-dor 02:40	lyrics	buy track
L’dor va-dor nagid godlekha ul’netzah n’tzahim k’dushat’kha nakdish. V’shivhakha Eloheinu mi-pinu lo yamush l’olam va-ed, ki El melekh gadol v’kadosh atah. Barukh atah Adonai ha-el ha-kadosh. Through all generations we declare Your greatness, and to all eternity we hallow Your holiness. Your praise will never leave our lips, for You are God and King, great and holy.
13.	Or Zarua 03:08	lyrics	buy track
Or zarua la-tzadik u’l’yish’rei lev simhah. Bi-shivah shel malah, u-vi-shivah shel matah, al da’at ha-makom v’al da’at ha-kahal, anu matirin l’hitpalleil im ha-avaryanim. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for those whose hearts are true. By the authority of the court on high and by the authority of this court below, with divine consent and with the consent of this congregation, we grant permission to pray with those who have transgressed.
14.	Tov L’hodot 02:57	lyrics	buy track
Tov l’hodot l’Adonai u-l’zamer l’shimkha elyon. L’hagid ba-boker hasdekha ve-emunat’kha ba-leilot. It is good to thank God, to sing Your praise, exalted God, to proclaim Your love each morning, to tell of your faithfulness each night.
15.	B’rikh Sh’meih 08:12	lyrics	buy track
Ant hu shalit al kola, ant hu d’shalit al malkhaya, u-malkhuta dilakh hi. Ana avda d’kudsha b’rikh hu, d’sagidna kameih, u-mikameih dikar oraiteih b’khol idan v’idan. La al enash rahitzna v’la al bar elahin samikhna, ela beilaha dish’maya d’hu elaha k’shot, v’oraiteh k’shot, u-n’vio∙hi k’shot, u-masgeih l’me’bad tav’van u-k’shot. Beih ana raheitz, v’lishmeih kadisha yakira ana eimar tushb’han. Y’hei ra’ava kadamakh d’tiftah libi b’oraita v’tashlim mishalin d’libi v’liba d’khol amakh yisrael, l’tav u-l’hayin v’lishlam. Amen. You rule over all, for dominion is Yours. We are servants of the Holy One, whom we revere and whose Torah we revere at all times. We do not rely on mortals, nor on angels, but on the God of the universe, the God of truth, whose Torah is truth, whose prophets are truth, and who abounds in deeds of goodness and truth. In God we trust; to God we utter praise. Open our hearts to Your Torah. Answer our prayers and the prayers of all Your people Israel for goodness, for life, and for peace. Amen.
16.	Avinu Malkeinu 01:52	lyrics	buy track
Avinu malkeinu, honenu va’anenu ki ein banu ma’asim Aseih imanu tzedakah va-hesed v’hoshi∙einu. Our God, our King, have mercy on us, answer us, for our deeds are insufficient; deal with us charitably and lovingly, and redeem us.
17.	Ein Keloheinu 03:09	lyrics	buy track
Ein keloheinu, ein kadoneinu, ein k’malkeinu, ein k’moshi∙einu. Mi kheloheinu, mi khadoneinu, mi kh’malkeinu, mi kh’moshi∙einu. Nodeh leloheinu, nodeh ladoneinu, nodeh l’malkeinu, nodeh l’moshi∙einu. Barukh Eloheinu, barukh adoneinu, barukh malkeinu, barukh moshi∙einu. Atah hu Eloheinu, atah hu adoneinu, atah hu malkeinu, atah hu moshi∙einu. Atah hu sheh-hiktiru avoteinu l’fanekha et k’toret ha-samim. There is nothing like our God, like our Lord; there is nothing like our Leader, like our Protector. / Who is like our God, our Lord? Who is like our Leader, our Protector? / Let us thank our God, our Lord; let us thank our Leader, our Protector. / Let us praise our God, our Lord; let us praise our Leader, our Protector. / You are our God, our Lord; You are our Leader, our Protector. / You are the One to whom our ancestors offered wonderfully scented incense.
18.	Kiddush 04:21	lyrics	buy track
Barukh atah Adonai, eloheinu melekh ha-olam, borei p’ri ha-gafen. Barukh atah Adonai, eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’ratzah vanu, v’shabbat kodsho b’ahavah u-v’ratzon hinhilanu zikaron l’ma∙aseih v’reishit, ki hu yom t’hilah l’mikra∙ei kodesh, zekher litzi∙at mitzrayim, ki vanu vaharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha-amim, v’shabbat kodsh’kha b’ahavah u-v’ratzon hinhaltanu. Barukh atah Adonai, m’kadesh ha-shabbat . Blessed are You Adonai, our God, sovereign of time and space, who desired us and sanctified us through mitzvot and who lovingly and willingly bestowed on us Shabbat, a measure of God’s holiness, a sign of creation. For it is the first of sacred times, a symbol of the exodus from Egypt. You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all peoples by lovingly and willingly bestowing on us Your holy Shabbat. Blessed are You, Adonai, who makes Shabbat holy.
19.	Adon Olam 02:12	lyrics	buy track
Adon olam, asher malakh, b’terem kol y’tzir nivra. L’et na’asah v’heftzo kol, azai melekh sh’mo nikra. V’aharei kikhlot hakol, l’vado yimlokh norah. V’hu haya, v’hu hoveh, v’hu yih’yeh b’tifarah. V’hu ehad, v’ein sheni l’hamshil lo, l’hahbirah. B’li reishit, b’li tahlit, v’lo ha’oz v’hamisrah. V’hu Eili, v’hai go-ali, v’tzur hevli b’eit tzarah. V’hu nisi u-manos li, m’nat kosi b’yom ekra. B’yado afkid ruhi b’eit ishan v’a∙irah. V’im ruhi g’viyati, Adonai li v’lo ira. God eternal reigned before the birth of every living thing. When all was made as God ordained, God alone was known as King. When all is ended, God will reign alone in awesome majesty. God was, God is, God will be, glorious in eternity. God is unique, there is no other, there is none at all to be compared. Without beginning and without end, God’s vast dominion is not shared. God is my God, my life’s redeemer, my refuge in distress, my certain shelter, my cup of life. I place my spirit in God’s care, when I sleep as when I wake. God is with me, I shall not fear.
20.	Zam’ru l’Adonai 02:32	lyrics	buy track
Zam’ru l’Adonai b’khinor, b’khinor v’kol zimrah. B’hatzotzrot, v’kol shofar, hari∙u, lifnei ha-melekh Adonai. Yiram ha-yam u-m’lo∙o, teiveil v’yoshvei vah. N’harot yimha∙u khaf, yahad harim y’raneinu. Sing to Adonai to the music of the lyre, the lyre and voices singing together; with horns and shofar, trumpet the presence of Adonai, the Sovereign. Let the sea and all that is in it roar, the earth and all who dwell on it thunder; let rivers clap hands, mountains sing in harmony.

about

A psalm, a song for Shabbat.
It is good to praise Adonai; to sing to Your name...
The righteous bloom like a date-palm;
they thrive like a cedar in Lebanon;
planted in the house of Adonai,
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit;
they are full of sap and freshness.

It is a good thing indeed to engage in prayer with a vibrant and dynamic community. When we sing together, we express emotions, connect to our roots, build deeper relationships, and give voice to our dreams. Through music we celebrate our past and invest in the future, constantly renewing and reinventing ourselves and our community. Our prayers are fruitful,
constantly freshened by new musical interpretations.
Park Avenue Synagogue has a long tradition of commissioning liturgical music, and we are proud to continue this tradition by inviting accomplished composers to write music for our services. Most of the music on this CD was composed in the past year. Our prayer services evolve with new liturgical settings that accommodate the musical sensibilities of our generation. From innovative instrumentations to a novel pace, from inclusion of our matriarchs to prayers in English, we build on our heritage and draw meaning from it. We are grateful to our community, to our talented and dedicated staff, and to the gifted musicians who partner in the sacred mission of writing the score for us and for future generations. We hope you will enjoy the melodies on this CD and sing along, so that our music will resonate within the walls of our synagogue and beyond.
Cantor Azi Schwartz
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove
Art Penn, Chairman
Melvin Schweitzer, Chair of Music Committee
August 2015 · Av 5775

credits

released September 9, 2015

Choir

Soprano:
Danya Kotak
Emily Moore
Elisa Singer
Emily Werne
Alto:
Brooke Collins
Yonah Gershator
Janara Kellerman
Toby Newmann
Tenor:
Jhas Agosto
James Kennerley*
Donald Meineke
Joe Rubinstein
Bass:
Raphael Biran
Dominic Inferra
Elliot Levine
David Schmidt

Child soloist on tracks 14 & 17: Sofia Egol
Duet on track 12: Zina Goldrich
*Conductor on tracks 9 & 18

Band
Mike Cohen, woodwinds
Leo Grinhauz, cello
Andrew Zinsmeister, guitar
Danny Weller, bass
Alex Wyatt, percussion
Vitor Gonçalves, accordion

Production manager
Gil Smuskowitz
Recording engineer and audio editing
Doug Yoel
Mastering
Alan Silverman
Art Director
Sophy Wu
Photography
Karen Smul
Photography, page 5
Karen Cattan/Sugar Studio
Text editor
Marga Hirsch
Recorded
July 7, 8, 9, 2015 at Park Avenue Synagogue

license

about

Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue image

Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue New York, New York

Cantor Azi Schwartz is the Senior Cantor of Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, and is a world-renowned vocal performer and recording artist whose music reaches Jewish and interfaith audiences internationally.

Azi has performed at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden; on PBS and on Richard Gere’s movie 'Norman'; and for Pope Francis.

He has released nine albums of Jewish liturgical music. ... more