American Chanukah

Robin Spielberg | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Play Mountain Music
• ASIN: B00006GXE4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,032 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #41 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Hanukkah

Track Listings

1. Chanukah, Chanukah/I Have A Little Dreydel

2. Jerusalem, Jerusalem

3. Rock of Ages

4. Sabbath Prayer

5. O Chanukah, O Chanukah

6. West Bank Serenade

7. Zum Gali Gali

8. Chanukah Prayer

9. Hanerot Halalu

10. First Night

11. One

12. Hatikvah/The Song of Hope (Theme from the Moldau)

13. Ofi'n Pripitchik

14. Tumbalalaika

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Robin Spielberg

Few pianists can speak the language of music as fluently, eloquently and beautifully as Robin Spielberg. Mesmerizing audiences with inspired tales, extraordinary piano technique and heartfelt performances, Ms. Spielberg is in the top echelon of contemporary composer/pianists.

Thousands of people have been both entertained and touched by Ms. Spielberg’s live concerts. Ms. Spielberg has a natural talent for making audiences immediately comfortable, and it is this element that turns what could easily be an ordinary evening at the concert hall into a very special concert Event. "Robin has such a personal and expressive way of playing, and her story-telling about the origins of the music makes the pieces come alive...the evening was both touching and mesmerizing" writes Wind & Wire Magazine of Robin’s San Francisco area concert. "Robin Spielberg has an indeniable melodic gift" says New York Concert Review of Ms. Spielberg’s Carnegie Hall debut.

Ms. Spielberg’s gifts have won her a place among the nation’s most respected contemporary pianists, as well as a slot on Steinway’s Artist Roster. Her ten recordings include three albums of original piano solos (Heal of the Hand, Songs of the Spirit, Dreaming of Summer), two recordings for holiday (Spirit of the Holidays, In the Heart of Winter), two recordings of American standards and film songs (With a Song in My Heart, Unchained Melodies), original pieces for solo piano and piano/ensemble (In the Arms of the Wind) , Mother, a collaborative CD containing instrumentals, sung ballads and songs celebrating mother and motherhood, and a recording of lullabies (Beautiful Dreamer). A new holiday collection is in the works for Winter 2002.

Dreaming of Summer is the debut release of original piano solos on her own playMountain Music label, a company she co-founded with her husband Larry Kosson. Ms. Spielberg supported the recording in 2001 with a 25-city concert tour. "This album may be the finest collection of songs she has ever recorded," writes WindandWire.com. "The music has an emotional and musical complexity that is refreshing." "Her playing is so expressive that flowers often seem to bloom through the stereo speakers"(Barnes&Noble.com). The CD earned a "Finalist Award" from New Age Voice Magazine in June 2001 in the ‘Best Acoustic Instrumental’ category. The CD, which has also been released in Thailand, China, Hong-Kong, Korea and Malaysia, received radio play on over 200 stations in the U.S.

Ms. Spielberg began touring the US in 1996. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in a sold-out performance at the Weill Recital Hall in 1997 and has performed there twice since. Other memorable performances include a guest spot on the PBS television special, The Soul of Christmas: A Celtic Music Celebration with Thomas Moore; live performances on CBS Saturday Morning and Good Morning Arizona; a private concert for the factory workers at the Steinway & Sons historic piano factory in New York, and benefits for the Epilepsy Foundation (Carnegie Hall), and Breast Cancer Awareness.

Robin Spielberg’s interest in music and healing grew when she witnessed first-hand, the positive effect music had on her own baby daughter (born prematurely) during her four-month stay in the neo-natal intensive care unit. A CD entitled Beautiful Dreamer was the musical result of this experience, a recording of lullabies and songs for the parent & child on solo piano. Ms. Spielberg’s work with music and healing has been documented in The New York Times and in segments on LifeTime Live and ABC News. Beautiful Dreamer was hailed by Child Magazine as one of "The Best of 2000", and also earned accolades in Parenting and The Washington Post.. Robin Spielberg is now Celebrity Spokesperson for The American Music Therapy Association.

Robin Spielberg is married to renowned photographer Larry Kosson. The couple reside with their daughter in New Jersey. You can have a ‘virtual visit’ wit

Product Description

American Chanukah: Songs of Chanukah & Peace. Traditional selections, Robin’s beautiful original songs, and a few contemporary pieces are seamlessly woven into the quintessential Chanukah collection

From one of America’s premier contemporary pianists/composers comes a CD full of light and hope: "American Chanukah: Songs of Chanukah and Peace". Robin Spielberg’s newest CD, American Chanukah: Songs of Chanukah & Peace is one that is especially close to the artist’s heart. With the help of Robin’s 99 year-old Grandmother, Jennie Spielberg, Robin researched and arranged songs of Yiddish , Sephardic, Israeli, Ashkenazi , European, and American origin for inclusion in this beautiful quintessential Chanukah collection.

In this solo piano CD, you will find cherished melodies such as "Rock of Ages", and a beautiful interpretation of the theme from "The Moldau" (used as Israel’s national anthem). There are Chanukah favorites like the "Dreydl Song" and "Chanukah Prayer". And then are the songs of peace: the U2 song "One" is delicately arranged and performed in a heartfelt longing for peace. "West Bank Serenade", a brand new Robin Spielberg original is sure to become a favorite among audience members on her upcoming holiday tour. Composed during the suicide bombings of 2002, the music takes the listener on a journey that is at once moving, hopeful and triumphant.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, September 26, 2002

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: American Chanukah (Audio CD)

Several years in the planning stages, Robin Spielberg's collection of Chanukah songs arranged for solo piano is a masterpiece. One of the most elegant and graceful pianists around, Spielberg keeps the arrangements of the traditional pieces simple, letting the melodies sing their messages of hope and peace. With the help of her ninety-nine-year-old grandmother, Jennie Spielberg, Robin researched and arranged songs of Yiddish, Sephardic, Israeli, Ashkenazi , European, and American origin for inclusion in this collection. I'm not Jewish, but love the warmth and beauty of these pieces. Many are rather haunting, but a sense of light and hope prevails throughout. Also included are Spielberg's original "West Bank Serenade", a stunning new piece composed during the weeks of the first suicide bombing attacks in the West Bank, and a fresh new version of "First Night" which first appeared on "In the Heart of Winter" several years ago. Along with the other traditional Chanukah songs are "Sabbath Prayer" from "Fiddler on the Roof", "One" by U2, and the Israeli national anthem which comes from a theme by Smetna. All of the pieces are lovingly arranged and played, and are obviously very close to Spielberg's heart. With the world situation as difficult as it is right now, this album takes on a very special importance and meaning. Very highly recommended!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, November 12, 2002

By 

Elaine Robinson (Palmyra, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Chanukah (Audio CD)

I loved this new album from Robin. I haven't stopped listening to it since I opened it in my mail, today. I found it very beautiful, spiritual and inspiring. Its "ethnic" feel took me away from my often-times hectic life to a place where I could be "in the world, yet not of it", and reminded me of who I am and why I celebrate this Holiday. Thanks Robin, I needed that.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Surprise, November 16, 2008

By 

Roberta H. Matzke "DVD Mania" (Edgerton, Wis USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Chanukah (Audio CD)

I love everything Robin does. Have seen her in performance and she has amazing ability to transform notes to feelings that sooth and comfort.