Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue

Cantor Rebecca Garfein (Composer), Morris Barash (Composer), Meir Finklestein (Composer), Rebecca Garfein (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Max Helfman (Composer), Max Janowski (Composer), Rachelle Nelson (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Stephen Richards (Composer), Robert Solomon (Composer), Ben Steinberg (Artist), Kurt Weill (Artist), Jacob Weinberg (Artist), Lazar Weiner (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Cantor Rebecca Garfein, Morris Barash, Meir Finklestein, Rebecca Garfein, Charles Gounod, et al.
• Audio CD (January 1, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bari Productions
• ASIN: B0000488V6
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,528 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > International Folk
  • #64 in Music > Folk > Jewish & Yiddish Music

Track Listings

1. Ma Tovu

2. Ahavat Olam

3. Hashkiveynu

4. R'tzey

5. Shalom Rav

6. Grant Us Peace

7. Kiddush

8. L'dor Vador

9. Yosl Klezmer

10. A Nign

11. Avinu Malkeynu

12. Kaddisch

13. Ana Dodi

14. Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee

15. Cantor Garfein's Greeting to the Audience

16. Shehecheyanu

17. Yismechu

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not at all what I expected, January 20, 2006

By 

Ana_y_lat (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue (Audio CD)

Hmm... Ok, maybe it was not the best reason to want to buy this CD, but I heard one of the songs on it, Hashkiveynu, performed (partially) during an episode of the West Wing, and it sounded AMAZING (it was NOT the same cantor as on this CD). I am not Jewish and not even very spiritual, but I wanted to have that song in my collection.
I immediately searched the web for the info, got the name of the chant and found this CD. I almost purchased it without listening, when I found a different site, where they actually have rather long excerpts (2 min.) of most tracks, so I listened to them.
Boy, was I relieved and disappointed at once! Relieved that I didn't buy the CD and disappointed that I couldn't get the song I wanted (I was willing to buy a whole CD for just 1 song, that's how much it impressed me).
The song sounds very little like the one from the West Wing, although I do believe that the site where I found the info speficially pointed to this CD as having a recording of the same song used in the show. And I'm sorry to say it but the voice also doesn't hold a candle to the one used on the show - way too "operatic", as mentioned by many, and harsh and even unpleasant-sounding to me. It took all the charm and candor right out of the song (in the show, they had a much more natural voice do the song). I also agree that the choir does not mesh well with the soloist.
If anyone knows where and if I can purchase a recording of this song done by a different singer (if it can be the one from the West Wing, I'll be thrilled), please, let me know. In the meantime, I'm passing on this CD...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding program, and exquisite voice - but awful control, September 22, 2007

By 

Marcus Maximus (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue (Audio CD)

The Reform movement has such an achingly beautiful cantorial tradition, not sufficiently recorded for my taste. And Cantor Garfein's credentials and reputation are sterling. So I approached this recording with anticipation and a strong disposition to love it. Alas, I find it hard to listen to. The quality of Cantor Garfein's rich mezzo invites me in, but her pitch control and technique quickly shut the door. The vibrato is constant and without nuance, and at times broadens to a wobble. Her attacks are all swoops and scoops (something delicious and effective in small measures) and I'm left longing for her to hit the note head on without sliding into it. Sometimes, as in "Mah Tovu", it seems to take her so long to settle into the note, I'm not sure what note she's singing.

Yet your hearing of this might be different. I am neither a musician nor an expert, but I am sensitive to pitch and control issues that some don't notice. (I adored Beverly Sills in so many ways, but didn't enjoy most of her singing beyond the early 70s). If you share this experience, I would stay away from this recording. Otherwise you might find much to treasure.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Gem of the Reform Movement, December 12, 2003

By 

G. Babes (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue (Audio CD)

For those listeners who want to understand the significance of the Reform movement, this CD is for you. What some of negative reviewers lack is a perspective of the Reform movement. Cantor Garfein eloquently chants the prayers of a movement that was heavily influenced by the secular world and the desire to assimilate. This music is a necessary part to understanding the history of Diaspora Judaism. This is Jewish performance music at its finest. Kol ha'kavod!