Birthday of the World Yom Kippur

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

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Western Wind
• ASIN: B000004AN6
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,038 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #56 in Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday > Hanukkah

Track Listings

1. Narration

2. Kol Nidre/V'nislach

3. Narration

4. Omnom Kayn

5. Narration

6. Ki Hineh Kachomer [As Clay in the Hand of the Potter]

7. Narration

8. Sh'ma Koleinu/Al Tashlicheinu l'Et Zikna

9. Narration

10. Adonai Mah Adam/Shivisi/El Maleh Rachamim

11. Narration

12. Unesane Tokef/Uveshofar Gadol

13. Narration

14. B'rosh Hashanah

15. Narration

16. Oleinu

17. Narration

18. V'hakohanim

19. Narration

20. Ki Anu Amecho

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will move you to tears of repentance, September 7, 2000

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birthday of the World Yom Kippur (Audio CD)

This CD is volume 2 of a two-volume set (each sold separately -- volume 1 is for Rosh Hashanah). It was originally produced for Public Radio International in 1996, a year after the broadcast of the Rosh Hashanah album, and it features the same performers (with both male and female voices).

The music is done a capella, just as it would be on Yom Kippur itself. (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.") From the opening with a soulfelt "Kol Nidre" to the closing shofar blast, this is a liturgical CD that will open your heart to God. I especially liked the Sephardic version of "Chatanu lefanecha", as well as the more familiar versions of "Ki Anu Amecha" and Avinu Malenu."

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 the next time around, you can program your CD player to skip the commentaries. The CD comes with photos and notes on the various cantors, the meaning of each liturgical piece, and background info on the composers. Together, the two "Birthday of the World" albums make a fine set for the High Holy Day season.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect!, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Birthday of the World Yom Kippur (Audio CD)

I know the soprano Mary Ellen Callahan who sings in the W.W. Chorus with the cantors-- she has a voice straight from heaven, and it comes through in the few solos she has. From the cantors, Mizrachi and Gurney win the prize, but all the cantors have soul-stirring voices. If you are looking for ancient-sounding exotica, however, be aware that most of the arrangements on this CD are 19th century ones and thus may sound a little "churchy." Nevertheless, there is endless beauty on this CD. The only bad thing, in my opinion, is Leonard Nimoy's incredibly annoying interruption of every other song with Rabbi Skolnik's commentary-- that commentary should be in the program notes, not the CD! But if you just want to listen to the music, program your stereo for the even numbers tracks (as the back of the CD also advises). If it weren't for that, I'd give 5 stars. Avinu Malkeinu will knock you to the ground, it is unbelievably done, and only a few minutes long at that.