Search - Russell Ashley, Samuel Cohen, Goldfarb :: Thank God It's Friday!: The Music of Shabbat

Classical Liturgical

tzefirah | Media, PA United States | 01/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is stunning liturgical music, with several variations of a few of the Shabbat favorites (HaTikvah, Ve'ahavta, etc.). The chorus is remarkable, and the soloists bring tears to my eyes. And yet no one and no instruments stand out above the music itself. I highly recommend this CD, and I will be buying several more copies to give as gifts."

Although It's Not What I Was Looking For . . .

Richard L. Adlof | North Hollywood, CA USA | 06/27/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It might address your needs . . . Think classical orchestra with classical choir . . . With the tempo running a tad on the slow side (actually more than just a tad) . . . It's not bad. You might enjoy the pompous nature of its classical renditions . . . I was hoping for a little more joy . . . This CD is just not what I wanted. Sigh.Ultimately the issue is that I wanted a CD to help practice the blessings with . . . And I ordered it . . . and found out there was a reason this CD was so cheap."

Poignant musical celebration of the holiness of Shabbat

Veggiechiliqueen | 11/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thank God It's Friday has a completely different meaning for Jews. Sure, it's the end of the work week, but it's also a sacred time to devote ourselves to exploring our relationship with G-d. Depending on the branch of Judaism, anything from turning on the lights, turning the key in the ignition, or even writing falls under the 39 categories of forbidden work. Eighteen minutes before sunset, the Shabbat candles are lit and blessed, and the evening and next day is "a rest of love freely given, a rest of truth and sincerity, a rest in peace and tranquility, in quietude and safety." Shabbat has been likened to a bride (Shabbat ha-Kallah) and queen (Shabbat ha-Malkah), immortalized in Solomon ben Moses HaLvi Alkabets' poem L'kha Dodi.



Jews have always used music in worship (Psalm 150 is a good example); in the First and Second Temples, the Levites engaged in vocal and instrumental music, with the liturgy being sung chorally. Jewish liturgical music rapidly came into its own during the Middle Ages, with Sephardic music being strongly influenced by the Muslim occupation. The Reform movement sought to incorporate organ and trained choirs based on German Protestantism, and this is the sound present on "Thank God It's Friday."



There are 24 beautiful tracks, some instrumental (Shalom Aleichem, V'ahavta, Hatikvah), some with soloists (V'ahavta, L'cha Dodi, Aleinu, Va'Nachnu, Kiddush, Kedusha), and many with organ and full choir. This CD brought tears to my eyes with its beautiful, uplifting renditions of sacred songs, the combination of violin, organ, flute and full choir sounding very rich. Although other reviewers have mentioned the "echoey" sound, I didn't notice it at all. An absolute bargain for the current price, and a wonderful gift for those who love Jewish, classical, or liturgical choral music. Shabbat shalom!"