Introduction
The sound and music provided here comprises the Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation liturgy, biblical recitations, and its
cultural music stemming from its Turkish origins. Also provided here are selected poetry chanted on various holidays
throughout the Jewish calendar and composed by some of the greatest Sephardic scholars and composers of the
middle ages.
The following are explanations on the type of music that is provided:
Liturgy – This section consists of excerpts from the
prayers recited during services in various traditional Makam (plural, Makamim), a distinct series of
notes, or mode, characteristic of the ancient music of Turkey from where the synagogue's roots are
founded. For more information on Makam click this
link.
Biblical – This category provides various vocal recitations of
Biblical selections. Each Shabbat, a portion from the Five Books of Moses is read. A thematic corresponding
selection from the Prophets follows, utilizing a different musical mode. On special holidays such as Purim,
Shavu'ot, and the Fast of Av and others the books of Esther, Ruth, or Lamentations, respectively, are
recited, each with its own unique set of notes and styles.
Weekly Perasha – This is a reference point for those wishing
to hear and study the recitation of the first Torah portion that will be recited on the upcoming Shabbat
service. It is also previewed each week on the Saturday evening, Monday morning, and Thursday morning
prayers prior to the Shabbat portion. Eventually this will include the 1st Aliya (portion) for the weekly
readings for the entire year.
Piyutim – Featured are some of the greatest compositions by
Sephardic scholars of the Middle Ages who were not only master rhetoricians with biblical and rabbinic
texts, but also master composers of poetry as well, whose messages through poetry and music are timeless.
They are recited passionately and with great sentiment in our synagogue and in Sephardic synagogues the
world over.
Some of the featured selections were by composed by prominent scholars such as Rabbi Hai Gaon, Rabbi
Yehuda HaLevi, Rabbi Shelomo ibn Gabirol.
Ladino Music – Woven into the culture and minds of the Judeo
Spanish people are its moving musical renditions in their native tongue, Ladino. A
variation of a type of Spanish with Hebrew interspersed throughout, Ladino has survived for the past 500
years. It is still included in portions of the service as well. Much of the Ladino music are
"romanzas" or forms of love songs portraying the character and 'joie de vivre' of the
communal life from whence these composers and writers came, reflecting their spirit, life's challenges,
and joys.
Pizmonim – Pizmonim, or Pizmon in the singular use are melodies
most closely associated with Sephardic composers. They are sung in many different musical modes, or Makamim,
each with its own very distinct melody, while at the same time provide for artistic license by the
trained singer. The content of Pizmonim comprise religious, praise, life cycle and festival themes. Pizmonim
are not liturgical in nature, and are therefore not necessarily limited to in-synagogue recitation.
There have been hundreds upon hundreds of Pizmonim composed by great lyricists and musical composers
of the Sephardic tradition from Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Morocco and many more countries from which the
Sepharadim have hailed. The most common venue nowadays in the Seattle Sephardic community for the singing
of Pizmonim is in private homes among the gathering of family and friends around the Sabbath or Holiday
table, as well as at joyous life cycle events such as a wedding and similar festive occasions. Pizmonim,
of course, are also sung in the synangogue for various special events.
Somewhat related to the Pizmonim in a general sense are the very distinct Maftirim which are comprised
of poetry composed and sung to classic Ottoman music. For a more detailed review of such music and the
very unique venue in which it was sung in Turkey, please click this link.
Prof. Edwin Seroussi on the Maftirim
in MP3 fomat.
Note:This web site uses the
Ogg Vorbis sound format.
If you are unable to hear the sound a short pause after clicking a link, you need to
install the supporting software.
The sound will start a few seconds after clicking the 'Play' button,
following the buffering of the sound file, which is the cause for the short delay.
All the sound tracks are sung by Rabbi Frank Varon, Hazzan of Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation unless otherwise noted.
Perasha - First Aliya for the Second day of Rosh HaShana -
an excerpt from Sefer Bereshit (Genesis) concerning 'Akedat Yitzhak' (the binding of Isaac),
which is read on the second day of Rosh HaShana.
(1:13 Minute)
Va'titpalel Hanna -
Hanna's Prayer (the mother of the Prophet, Samuel), from the Book of Shemuel (Samuel).
Recited on the 2nd day Rosh HaShana after the reading of the Torah.
(1:58 Minute)
Cantillation Notes for the Reading of the Haftara
(1:00 Minute)
