Abraham Baer (1834-1894) was a cantor, musician,
composer, and a music collector. He was born
in Russia, immigrated to Germany at an early
age to study with eminent cantors, and officiated
at several German congregations. In 1857, he
was called to serve as cantor in Gothenburg,
Sweden, where he resided until his death.
In addition to his cantorial career, Baer also found
music research to be his calling. His research
was focused on the field of Jewish traditional and
cantorial melodies, which he devotedly collected
from both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities.
He published his work Ba’al Tefillah (Der
practische Vorbeter or the Practical Cantor) in
1871. It was an almost complete collection of 1,505
Jewish traditional melodies.
Kaddish is an ancient prayer recited in Aramaic
in various forms to mark the ending of a
liturgical unit in the service. Kaddish Shalem is
the complete Kaddish, and Hatzi Kaddish is the
half Kaddish. Another form of Kaddish is recited
by mourners.
Kaddish includes thanksgiving, praise, and a
prayer for peace. Baer’s version of the Hatzi
Kaddish for the Three Festivals is based on a folk
song, and features a festive and cheerful melody.
lyrics
May God’s great name be exalted and hallowed,
Throughout the created world, as is God’s wish.
May God’s sovereignty soon be established,
In our lifetime
and that of the House of Israel.
And we say: Amen.
May God’s great name be acknowledged
forever and ever
Acknowledged and celebrated,
Lauded and worshipped,
Exalted and honored, extolled and acclaimed -
Though God, who is blessed,
Is truly beyond all acknowledgment and praise,
hymns, and songs of adoration
Or any other expressions of gratitude or
consolation ever spoken in the world,
And let us say: Amen.
Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue SynagogueNew 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
Modular synths sparkle amidst piano, vibes, and other organic instruments stringing together constellations of sound. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 22, 2023