Music for Hanukkah!

2009 Update: But wait, there’s more!! This year’s Hanukkah selections are right here! 😀

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah — so what about music to go along with it?

The Jewish National and University Library has a great collection of Hanukkah music from a variety of traditions, in both streaming and downloadable form. A couple of examples (links go to streaming audio):

Is there much classical music for Hanukkah, I wondered? Oh, yes! Here are just a couple of things I found.

  • This CD has several Hanukkah-themed pieces for piano trio, including Great is The Miracle, by Scott Robinson, a four-movement work incorporating folk songs and liturgical melodies. The first movement uses two melodies: a Sephardic version of “Ma’oz Tsur,” and the German synagogue melody, “S’vivon.”
  • A Taste of Chanukah was recorded live at New England Conservatory. Evidently the performance has also been broadcast on PBS. Here’s the conservatory’s chorus singing “S’vivon” (Dreydl).

There’s much more out there! Jazz, swing… and of course, there’s this, which I promise not to post. OOPS! Sorry! 😉

Comments

Music for Hanukkah! — 4 Comments

  1. Love the links! I’m pointing my friend this way for sure. I also wanted you to know that I added a link on my blog to here and I will give it a shout out tonight. I have a few blog friends who are total music nerds too, though they are not lucky enough to have made a living at it. But, I know they will appreciate your work.

  2. Hi, MMN, I’m a longtime friend of TPGoddess0103. I have some musical talent myself. I sing with a large local chorale and chamber choir.

    Being Jewish, I was thrilled to see your post about Chanukah music. Just yesterday I picked up 2 new Chanukah CDs at B&N. One really fun one is by The LeeVees http://theleevees.com/, called Hanukkah Rocks. The tracks about “At The Timeshare” and “Kugel” are particularly funny.

    Stop by The Zone sometime and say hi.

  3. How about the Hip Hop Hoodios? A Latino-Jewish band from Brooklyn with a wonderful sense of humor who celebrate their entire heritage.

    Here’s a link to Ocho Kandelikas on You Tube. Ya just gotta love the bagel bras.

    And here’s another video called Gorritos Cosmico.

    Both were first seen (by me at least) on World Music on LinkTV.

    I’m totally into music and have added your blog to my bookmarks. See you again soon!

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