Birthday of the World Rosh Hashanah

Western Wind Vocal Ensemble (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 17, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Western Wind
• ASIN: B000004AN5
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,426 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Hanukkah

Track Listings

1. Rosh Hashanah Nusach

2. Narration

3. Ma Tovu/Tik'u

4. Narration

5. Shehecheyanu

6. Narration

7. Zochreinu

8. Narration

9. Adonoy, Adonoy/Va'ani S'filosi [From the Holy Ark]

10. Narration

11. Hineni

12. Narration

13. Ki Keshimcho

14. Narration

15. V'choi Ma'aminim

16. Narration

17. Shofar/Hayom Harat Olam/Areshet Seifateinu

18. Narration

19. V'al Y'dei

20. Narration

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Yom Kippur -Music for the High Holy Days Cantors: Mizrahi, Osborne, Gurney, Mendelson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, September 6, 2000

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birthday of the World Rosh Hashanah (Audio CD)

This CD is volume 1 of a two-volume set (each sold separately -- volume 2 is for Yom Kippur). It was originally produced for Public Radio International in 1995, and not only features the voices of Western Wind Ensemble & Chorus, but also has guest cantors Alberto Mizrachi, Faith Steinsnyder Guerney, Jacob ben Zion Mendelson, and Charles Osborne. It's narrated by Leonard Nimoy, who is best known for playing Spock on Star Trek, but who also has a deep and abiding love for his Jewish heritage, which shines through in this performance. Together, this gathering of male and female voices is a feast for the soul.

Unlike many Jewish holiday albums which come across as mere concerts, this one has the feel of a genuine Rosh Hashanah service. For one thing, it's done a capella, just as it would be on the holy day itself, when musical instruments are not used (except for the shofar, or ceremonial ram's horn, which is included on the CD). And it includes some of the longer prayers, such as the complete "Hineni" and "Ha Yom Harat Olam." (In consideration of those who feel the Name of God should not be pronounced except in real worship, the Name is rendered "Adomai", with an "M" instead of an "N.")

Each liturgical piece is introduced by Nimoy, reading an inspirational script written by Rabbi Gerold Skolnik. These introductions set the proper mood and make the spirit of the service accessible even to those listeners who don't know any Hebrew. The narrations are recorded on separate tracks so, if you just want to listen to the music, you can program your CD player to skip the commentaries. (There's even a note on the back cover suggesting this possibility!) I really like that feature, because narrated albums do tend to get tedious after a while. This one lets you learn the lessons in the first few listenings, then skip them to just enjoy the music.

The CD is over a hour long, and comes with notes on the meaning of each liturgical piece, as well as background info on the performers and composers. A wonderful way to prepare yourself for Rosh Hashanah, the Birthday of the World.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars non-service, October 3, 2009

By 

Steven J. Gordon (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birthday of the World Rosh Hashanah (Audio CD)

I originally ordered this item for a trip to Arizona. Since time was short, I paid extra to expedite the shipment. As time drew near, I received word that the order would arrive within 15 days, long after I would have left on my trip. I emailed back and reminded them that I had paid to have the item shipped in 3-5 days and that if it couldn't be received in that time, it was of no use to me and to cancel that item. By the day of the trip, it had still not arrived. I emailed a dispute to my credit card company and left on my trip without it. When I had returned, the item was in the mail which had been held for me by the Post Office while I was away.

The item was very important and something I had needed for my trip; I was forced to do without it.