HATZI KADDISH for
High Holy Day Musaf
by Michael Reid Winikoff
Cantor & Choir with optional organ or piano
|
DURATION: 3:55
Purchase
-- for SATB
Listen/View
Listen Only (faster
load)
-- for TTBB
Listen/View
Listen
Only (faster load)
About the Kaddish Text
THE HIGH HOLY DAY KADDISH TEXT -
During the ten-day period from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, an
extra word (l'eila) is added to the Kaddish text to form the
superlative case ("far above all blessings and hymns"),
reflecting the special sanctity of the season. In order to
preserve the same number of words in the text, the two words immediately
following are contracted to one ("min kol" to "mikol").
THE MUSIC -
The Hatzi Kaddish that introduces the Musaf
(Additional) service of the Days of Awe constitutes a powerful and
momentous point in the ongoing day of worship. The Musaf,
especially on Rosh Hashanah, stands in relief as the climactic
centerpiece of the day. While the pure chant mode for this Kaddish
is rather austere, the celebrated rendition by nineteenth-century composer
Wolf “Velvele” Schestopol (after which this present setting is modeled)
has become so widely known that its famous melody has come to be
regarded as though it were nusach, even to the point of being used
unabashedly by other composers. While not utilizing that tune,
the present setting echoes the grandeur and portent of Schestopol, and
of this moment in the epic High Holy Day proceedings.
