Musical instruments of the Mountain Jews
Aziatskay garmoshka (lit. 'Asian accordion'; also called 'gar-mon' or 'ghumuz' in Juhuri and Qumiq), adopted by musicians from eastern Caucasus (also Azerbaijan and western Caucasus) in the late nineteenth century, is a small portable instrument tuned in the key of B, shaped like a box with metal…
Contrafactum
A term borrowed from medieval Christianity. It refers to a technique of converting either a secular song into a religious song or vice versa by altering the words.
This technique was used in 12th century Spain, as poets and Paytanim would write above the first line of their poem a reference…
Steiger Ahava Rabah
The Ahava Rabah Steiger is also known as Freygish. When the prayer includes a range of more than an octave, the sixth step under the Finalis is always augmented. This steiger includes characteristic motifs in the phrygian scale with a major third, so we get an augmented second between the second…
Iyr
The Iyr, also known in Juhuri as Uylov or Uylomish and in the Kabardin dialect as Ghiyr or Ghibzi, is a genre found among all Turkish peoples, but among the Jews appears only in the Khéiytoghi tradition. These are long, complex compositions usually consisting of three parts. The opening is a free…
Arvit
Arvit is the last of the three daily services of the Jewish liturgy, along with Shaharit and Minha which are conducted in the morning and in the afternoon, respectively. The Arvit service is held after nightfall, and is often conducted immediately after a late-afternoon Minha service.
The…
Adon Olam
Adon Olam is a rhymed liturgical hymn that is comprised of twelve verses. Adon Olam literally translated means “Lord of the World,” and accordingly includes themes of power, eternity and unity of God. The date of composition and author of this hymn are unknown, though some attribute it to Solomon…
Cancionero
Collection or corpus of cantigas or canciones.