Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue

Track Listings

1. Ma Tovu

2. Ahavat Olam

3. Hashkiveynu

4. R'tzey

5. Shalom Rav

6. Grant Us Peace

7. Kiddush

8. L'dor Vador

9. Yosl Klezmer

10. A Nign

11. Avinu Malkeynu

12. Kaddisch

13. Ana Dodi

14. Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee

15. Cantor Garfein's Greeting to the Audience

16. Shehecheyanu

17. Yismechu

Editorial Reviews
Jerry Ben-Asher, NJJN-MetroWest, March 25, 1999
A new recording, in which Garfein's beautiful mezzo-soprano voice faithfully sustains the feeling of the 17 selections is available to mirror the historical event. Her program draws for some of the American Reform Judaism's most appealing liturgical melodies, as well as a modicum of secular folk song.

Lois Lebow, Atlanticville, April, 1999
I can honestly say that I play it [Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue] every morning. What an inspirational to begin the day! Cantor Garfein's lovely voice does not mask the clarity of the words of these prayers. Her masterful musicianship and religious fervor combine forces of a powerful performance. This is a CD that I most heartily recommend to any music lover.

Album Description
Berliners say New York's Rebecca Garfein is causing a revival of Reform Judaism in Germany; this mezzo-soprano is making history with her music, recorded in the country where her great -grandmother perished in the Holocaust. In 1997, she became the first female cantor to sing in a synagogue in Germany; where she performed as part of Berlin's International Jewish Cultural Festival; and this exquisite 1998 release captures that ground - (and stained-glass ceiling) - breaking moment. It contains Jewish songs and prayers in Hebrew and Yiddish, selections from the Book of Ruth and Song of Songs - liturgical music previously only chanted my male clergy - operatic in character, performed in what was once the women's gallery in the Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue before its destruction. This live performance was attended by Jews and non-Jews, women and men, together, shattering the historical separation of faiths and genders. Beautiful, significant, and highly recommended!

Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue

Tracks:

Ma Tovu
Ahavat Olam
Hashkiveynu
R'tzey
Shalom Rav
Grant Us Peace
Kiddush
L'dor Vador
Yosl Klezmer
A Nign
Avinu Malkeynu
Kaddisch
Ana Dodi
Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee
Cantor Garfein's Greeting to the Audience
Shehecheyanu
Yismechu

Album Description

Berliners say New York's Rebecca Garfein is causing a revival of Reform Judaism in Germany; this mezzo-soprano is making history with her music, recorded in the country where her great -grandmother perished in the Holocaust. In 1997, she became the first female cantor to sing in a synagogue in Germany; where she performed as part of Berlin's International Jewish Cultural Festival; and this exquisite 1998 release captures that ground - (and stained-glass ceiling) - breaking moment. It contains Jewish songs and prayers in Hebrew and Yiddish, selections from the Book of Ruth and Song of Songs - liturgical music previously only chanted my male clergy - operatic in character, performed in what was once the women's gallery in the Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue before its destruction. This live performance was attended by Jews and non-Jews, women and men, together, shattering the historical separation of faiths and genders. Beautiful, significant, and highly recommended!

Customer Reviews:

Not at all what I expected.......2006-01-21

Hmm... Ok, maybe it was not the best reason to want to buy this CD, but I heard one of the songs on it, Hashkiveynu, performed (partially) during an episode of the West Wing, and it sounded AMAZING (it was NOT the same cantor as on this CD). I am not Jewish and not even very spiritual, but I wanted to have that song in my collection.
I immediately searched the web for the info, got the name of the chant and found this CD. I almost purchased it without listening, when I found a different site, where they actually have rather long excerpts (2 min.) of most tracks, so I listened to them.
Boy, was I relieved and disappointed at once! Relieved that I didn't buy the CD and disappointed that I couldn't get the song I wanted (I was willing to buy a whole CD for just 1 song, that's how much it impressed me).
The song sounds very little like the one from the West Wing, although I do believe that the site where I found the info speficially pointed to this CD as having a recording of the same song used in the show. And I'm sorry to say it but the voice also doesn't hold a candle to the one used on the show - way too "operatic", as mentioned by many, and harsh and even unpleasant-sounding to me. It took all the charm and candor right out of the song (in the show, they had a much more natural voice do the song). I also agree that the choir does not mesh well with the soloist.
If anyone knows where and if I can purchase a recording of this song done by a different singer (if it can be the one from the West Wing, I'll be thrilled), please, let me know. In the meantime, I'm passing on this CD...

Marvelous.......2006-01-11

What a voice...!

A Brilliant Cantorial Performance.......2004-01-27

Cantor Rebecca Garfein has a magnificent voice which expresses the oft-overlooked nuances in the music she has chosen for this recording. Able to perform equally well in the metzo soprano and soprano ranges, the cantor delights the listener with thrilling high notes and sultry lower registers.

Organist-Choirmaster Arnold Ostlund, Jr. skillfully chooses registrations which enhance both the cantorial performance and the superb choral blend.

Jewish songs and prayers beautifully sung!.......2004-01-18

Cantor Rebecca Garfein's Sacred Chants is a memorial tribute to the cultural and spiritual greatness of the pre-war German Jewish synagogue. Some of the numbers were composed by Jews on Jewish themes -- for example, Mah Tovu by Cantor Meir Finklestein or Ahavat Olam by Cantor Morris Barash. Other numbers were composed by non-Jews, but they express traditional Jewish values. Throughout, Cantor Garfein sings with love and passion in the spirit of her tradition. Additionally, the beautiful organ music is wonderful to hear for those of us who have enjoyed hearing organ music as part of our Reform Jewish liturgy.

Good but is this Jewish?.......2004-01-07

I have to admit, it am in the process of converting and wanted a contemporary collection of Jewish music in the house. I was especially excited because it featured a female cantor. Unfortunately, I played this CD and it...reminded me of church not synagogue! Lovely for what it is though, with the opera voice, choir and organ music. Not quite what I expected.

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1. Ma Tovu
2. Ahavat Olam
3. Hashkiveynu
4. R'tzey
5. Shalom Rav
6. Grant Us Peace
7. Kiddush
8. L'dor Vador
9. Yosl Klezmer
10. A Nign
11. Avinu Malkeynu
12. Kaddisch
13. Ana Dodi
14. Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee
15. Cantor Garfein's Greeting to the Audience
16. Shehecheyanu
17. Yismechu