Eitz Chayim (“Tree of Life”) in Neo-Romantic Style
Song of the Week • 1m 45s
In honor of Shabbat B’reishit, beginning the Torah cycle anew, we offer this setting of Eitz Chayim commissioned by PAS. Inspired by the 19th century tradition of Jewish music in the Ashkenazi sound world, PAS Music Director David Enlow wrote this piece in 2013. One hears the ‘Tree of Life” springing up in the organ accompaniment, and then when the text reaches “hashiveinu,” we hear the musical ornament known as a “turn,” one note surrounded by several others in quick succession, to suggest the “turning to us, and we shall return” in the text, accompanied by some poignant harmonies at “k’kedem,” wistfully recalling “days of old.”
AV: Oscar Acevedo, Erik van Batavia, Russell Miller
Video Editing: Joshua Crespo
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