Jewish Music Bulletin: December 2018
December 11, 2018
Our latest Jewish Music Bulletin includes a new composer spotlight, a jazz opera, Philip Glass, and a capella retelling of the Hanukkah story.
Becoming Ofer
The latest installment in our “Spotlight” video series features composer Ofer Ben-Amots. Based on an oral history session and several live events recorded during his UCLA residency earlier this year, the video chronicles Ofer’s path to becoming one of today’s most prominent composers of music of Jewish experience. It’s a path filled with chance encounters and unexpected connections.
From “Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter feel”
to “Caribbean spice”
Connect a groundbreaking rabbi with a multi-Grammy winning producer and what do you get? Heaven on Earth – Songs of the Soul by LA’s Nashuva Band.
Letters from Herta
Photo from Jazz Times
Jazz Pianist and composer Ted Rosenthal's latest project is a “jazz opera” culled from letters written during World War II between his grandmother Herta in Germany and his father Erich in Chicago. “Dear Erich” premieres in January as a co-production by the New York City Opera and the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene.” ”
Jew-in-a-Gentile-World Blues
Photo Credit: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle
Lauren Mayer has been writing a parody song a week since 2012, including roll-off-the-tongue titles like “Where’s the Judeo in Judeo-Christian” and “Net Neutrality Musical Tutorial.” It all started with a little ditty called “It’s a Scary Time to Be a Jewish Mother.”
Jewish Music, Sped Up and Run Through a Blender
Photo Credit: Sachyn Mital
Pitchfork’s Matthew Schnipper reviews a six-hour concert by the Philip Glass Ensemble. “Getting into hour four, you realize you are in no man’s land. . . . It’s 10:30 pm. Town Hall is your new home. The audience is your new family. The Philip Glass Ensemble is your new government.”
Maccabean Rhapsody
If you missed this a cappella retelling of the Hanukkah story by Six13 you may be living under a rock.
Wishing everyone a happy holiday season! We'll see you in 2019 with more Jewish music, news, exhibits and giveaways.
Sincerely,
The Milken Archive of Jewish Music
