Between Tradition and Modernity

Geoffrey Goldberg
Between Tradition and Modernity: The High Holy Days Melodies of Minhag Ashkenaz According to Ḥazzan Maier Levi of Esslingen
JMRC Yuval Music Series, Volume 12

An extensive study on Maier Levi and his times as well as of the entire Southern German liturgical Jewish tradition round out the 470 pages of this book, making it one of the major publications undertaken in the field of the Ashkenazi liturgy. Includes 179 liturgical pieces with extensive annotations and analyses for each selection by Dr. Geoffrey Goldberg.

From the introduction to the book:

Maier Levi bequeathed to posterity a manuscript of musical scores, a ‘cantorial compendium,’ that must be regarded as one of the most significant transcriptions of the oral tradition of Ashkenazic ḥazzanut. More specifically, this compendium, even though not complete since its greater part only covers the High Holy Day services, nevertheless constitutes the most extensive and detailed transcription of the synagogue chant of the South German Jews. On this chant tradition Maier Levi clearly was an outstanding authority. In addition to the chants of the ḥazzan, the compendium frequently describes the wider liturgical and worship background, particularly the role of the congregation during the prayer services.

Recordings of a selection of Maier Levi's transcriptions, recorded by Cantor Amnon Seelig of Mannheim, may be downloaded in zip format. 

Published by the Jewish Music Research Centre, Jerusalem
ISBN: 978-965-599025-6
470 pages, softcover
Language: English