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Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue | 
 enlarge | Artists: Cantor Rebecca Garfein, Morris Barash, Meir Finklestein, Max Helfman, Max Janowski, Rachelle Nelson, Maurice Ravel, Stephen Richards, Robert Solomon, Kurt Weill, Jacob Weinberg, Lazar Weiner
Creators: Rebecca Garfein, Charles Gounod, Ben Steinberg
Label: Bari Productions
Category: Music
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $15.99
You Save: $2.00 (11%)
New (8) from $15.99
Rating:  23 reviews
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 672279189221
EAN: 0672279189221
Release Date: January 1, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Ma Tovu | | • | Ahavat Olam | | • | Hashkiveynu | | • | R'tzey | | • | Shalom Rav | | • | Grant Us Peace | | • | Kiddush | | • | L'dor Vador | | • | Yosl Klezmer | | • | A Nign | | • | Avinu Malkeynu | | • | Kaddisch | | • | Ana Dodi | | • | Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee | | • | Cantor Garfein's Greeting to the Audience | | • | Shehecheyanu | | • | Yismechu |
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Album Description
Berliners say New York's Rebecca Garfein is causing a revival of Reform Judaism in Germany; this mezzo-soprano is making history with her music, recorded in the country where her great -grandmother perished in the Holocaust. In 1997, she became the first female cantor to sing in a synagogue in Germany; where she performed as part of Berlin's International Jewish Cultural Festival; and this exquisite 1998 release captures that ground - (and stained-glass ceiling) - breaking moment. It contains Jewish songs and prayers in Hebrew and Yiddish, selections from the Book of Ruth and Song of Songs - liturgical music previously only chanted my male clergy - operatic in character, performed in what was once the women's gallery in the Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue before its destruction. This live performance was attended by Jews and non-Jews, women and men, together, shattering the historical separation of faiths and genders. Beautiful, significant, and highly recommended!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Exquisite and strong January 7, 2008
J. Lewis Hall Jr. (Altamonte Springs, FL United States)
Thanks for offering both recordings by Cantor Garfein. The first, Sacred Chants of the Contemporary Synagogue, has great significance as Cantor Garfein was the first female Cantor to be invited to perform in Berlin post WWII. The recording, made live eleven years ago, is a marvelously inspiring musical listening experience today and was obviously recognized then by a moved and appreciative audience which responded with prolonged and vigorous applause.
The other recording, Golden Chants in America, cut several years later with the advantages of current professional studio technology, is a monument to the history of Jewish music in America over 350 years and Cantor Garfein's soaring voice brings it to vibrant life. A masterpiece of music and dedication.
Should you find yourself in Manhattan and want to enjoy a wonderful musical treat, drop by any of the services of Rodeph Sholom and listen to Cantor Garfein sing in that incredible sanctuary. She can soar or gently caress the music or, on occasions, simply blow the walls off. Magnificent music by a great musician with a rich and exquisite voice! A great spiritual experience at no charge.
J. Hall
 Nice Selections, LOUSY voice November 26, 2007
Tricia K. (Issaquah, WA, USA)
I am sitting here trying to think of something nice to say about this singer's voice; I'm sorry, but I just can't find anything. Despite the training (Bachelor of Music from Rice University) that the album insert says that she has had, she can't hold a pitch, has a wild vibrato, and goes flat so many times I was gritting my teeth by the end of the first track. She's what many of my choir directors would have called a "Screamin' soprano" who can (most of the time... ok... SOMETIMES) hit notes, but lacks anything approaching vocal control. Certainly she doesn't sound as though she's had a voice coach in the last 15 years or so; I hope she gets one.
Meanwhile, I'll be putting the album up for sale, as I can't even stand to listen to it.
Spend your money someplace else.
 Outstanding program, and exquisite voice - but awful control September 22, 2007
Marcus Maximus (San Francisco, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Not at all what I expected January 21, 2006
Ana_y_lat (Houston, TX)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
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...
Marvelous January 11, 2006
Donna L. G. Blackburn
What a voice...!
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