Shlomo Carlebach: Metamorphosis of a Melody
On the migration and transformation of the Hasidic nigun
This Verein event will be presented by Will Soll and Rabbi James Goodman in-person at Kol Rinah.
Neshama Carlebach will be performing at this year’s Kol Rinah Summerfest weekend in August.
Nigunim were an important part of Hasidism from the beginning. They had their own aesthetic and spiritual purpose, undergirded by the Hasidic worldview. Today, nigunim have found their way into the broader American synagogue, owing to the influence of Shlomo Carlebach and others, who introduced Hasidic-based songs in Jewish contexts with little or no relation to Hasidism This migration also involved a transformation.
Carlebach employed instrumental accompaniment, chiefly the guitar, which in turn affected the rhythmic and harmonic nature of the tunes. Their Hasidic roots can still be seen, but now they sound more like American folk music. For good or ill, Carlebach democratized Jewish music. Reflection on the origins and purpose of this kind of singing can help us be more discerning and appreciative when it comes to its use in synagogue services.
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