MAGEIN AVOT
by Michael Reid Winikoff
Choir (SATB) with harp or piano
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DURATION: 2:45
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THE TEXT - Magein Avot is a kind of condensed version of the
Friday night Amidah (silent devotion). In most traditional
congregations, it is one of a group of prayers recited aloud immediately
following the silent devotion, and which are concerned solely with
Shabbat, regardless of any festival or observance that might be
concurrent. In scanning the text of Magein Avot, one can discern
the major precepts of this Amidah.
THE MUSIC - In musical terms, this prayer lends its name to one of the important
Shabbat chant modes – the so-called Magein Avot mode, which
dominates the liturgy of Friday evening and early Saturday morning.
It is tranquil, reflective, devotional and at times ethereal in mood, a
natural-minor scale often cadencing on the fifth degree. This lithe
setting utilizes that mode, and is designed for ease and simplicity.
PERFORMANCE - A slightly slower tempo than demonstrated
in this playback may be taken, but never
so slow as to bog the piece down. There should always be a feeling
of buoyancy.
