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Description

This recording aims not only to collect, but also to reconstruct Sephardic Jewish chants and songs, so as to preserve this significant part of Jewish liturgical music history. In includes synagogal songs from the liturgy of the Spanish Jews, as transcribed near the end of the 19th century in Florence, based on the singing of the cantor at the synagogue in Leghorn. Of the approximately 500 songs transcribed, Paolo Buconi has selected representative pieces for their interest and beauty. Following the local tradition some were sung acapella, some with accompaniment, and the recording aims to be as faithful as possible to the transcriptions and actual practice. Includes liner notes and hymn text in Italian, English and French.
ReviewBy: Benjamin Williams
One doesn't have to be either a musicologist or a student of Jewish liturgical music to appreciate this CD. It is sweet and beautiful, and that comes on top of the service it provides in documenting an entire tradition of Sephardic liturgical music from the Leghorn synagogue in Florence. One is clearly aware of the liturgical continuity in Jewish and Christian liturgical music, as well as the interpaly that occurred across the traditions in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The reocrding quality is very high, and the performance is both eloquent and beautiful. Very enjoyable!

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