Happy Hanukkah, music nerds! Are you ready for some Hanukkah music? Join me on a journey from the ancient to modern, classical to klezmer!

 Time to light the Menorah:

 The Jewish National and University Library has a great collection of Hanukkah music from a variety of traditions, in both streaming and downloadable form. A couple of examples (links go to streaming audio):

• Candle Lighting chant, from the Ashkenazi tradition.


• "Ma'oz Tzur", a Hanukkah hymn, performed by the Kol Israel Choir.


• A Yiddish song, "Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh" (Oh, You Little Candles).

Here are a few classical selections:

• This CD has several Hanukkah-themed pieces for piano trio, including Great is The Miracle, by Scott Robinson, a four-movement work incorporating folk songs and liturgical melodies. The first movement uses two melodies: a Sephardic version of "Ma'oz Tsur," and the German synagogue melody, "S'vivon."


• A Taste of Chanukah was recorded live at New England Conservatory. Evidently the performance has also been broadcast on PBS. Here's the conservatory's chorus singing "S'vivon" (Dreydl).

 Now, let us turn from the sublime to the whimsical: here are two from the synesthesia department:

• "Oh Hanukkah" played by the menorah!
• Dreidels playing the "Dreidel Song" on the piano!

And finally, it's time to rock out! How about some klezmer?

• The "Dreidel Song" perfomed by Rubinchik's Yiddish Ensemble

And here's a song in Ladino to get your booty shakin'!

• Ocho Kandelikas  -- Eight little candles

Caramba! bring on the Latkes, I've worked up an appetite! :D

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