Search - Western Wind Vocal Ensemble :: Birthday of the World Yom Kippur

It will move you to tears of repentance

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom | Minnesota, USA | 09/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is volume 2 of a two-volume set (each sold separately -- volume 1 is for Rosh Hashanah). It was originally produced for Public Radio International in 1996, a year after the broadcast of the Rosh Hashanah album, and it features the same performers (with both male and female voices). The music is done a capella, just as it would be on Yom Kippur itself. (In consideration of those who feel the Name of God should not be pronounced except in real worship, the Name is rendered "Adomai", with an "M" instead of an "N.") From the opening with a soulfelt "Kol Nidre" to the closing shofar blast, this is a liturgical CD that will open your heart to God. I especially liked the Sephardic version of "Chatanu lefanecha", as well as the more familiar versions of "Ki Anu Amecha" and Avinu Malenu." Each liturgical piece is introduced by Nimoy, reading an inspirational script written by Rabbi Gerold Skolnik. These introductions set the proper mood and make the spirit of the service accessible even to those listeners who don't know any Hebrew. The narrations are recorded on separate tracks so, if you just want to listen to the music the next time around, you can program your CD player to skip the commentaries. The CD comes with photos and notes on the various cantors, the meaning of each liturgical piece, and background info on the composers. Together, the two "Birthday of the World" albums make a fine set for the High Holy Day season."

Almost perfect!

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom | 10/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I know the soprano Mary Ellen Callahan who sings in the W.W. Chorus with the cantors-- she has a voice straight from heaven, and it comes through in the few solos she has. From the cantors, Mizrachi and Gurney win the prize, but all the cantors have soul-stirring voices. If you are looking for ancient-sounding exotica, however, be aware that most of the arrangements on this CD are 19th century ones and thus may sound a little "churchy." Nevertheless, there is endless beauty on this CD. The only bad thing, in my opinion, is Leonard Nimoy's incredibly annoying interruption of every other song with Rabbi Skolnik's commentary-- that commentary should be in the program notes, not the CD! But if you just want to listen to the music, program your stereo for the even numbers tracks (as the back of the CD also advises). If it weren't for that, I'd give 5 stars. Avinu Malkeinu will knock you to the ground, it is unbelievably done, and only a few minutes long at that."