Chanukah, O Chanukah and Ma'oz Tzur – Improvised by pianist Charles Manning

Описание: Happy Hanukkah!!

Hanukkah (in Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה‎) is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 515 BCE. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, and occurs each year on varying dates from late November to late December. The festival is observed by lighting the candles on a menorah. One candle is typically placed above the others and is used to light the remaining candles. Each night, one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. In modern times, Hanukkah is celebrated with parties and exchanging of gifts.

In celebration of Hanukkah, pianist Charles Manning improvises two of the most famous Hanukkah melodies. The first song is “Chanukah, O Chanukah,” an upbeat children's song which has lyrics about dancing the Hora, playing with dreidels, eating latkes, lighting the candles, and singing happy songs. The song was written by Mark Rivesman, and first published in 1912.

“Ma'oz Tzur” (“Rock of Ages”) is a Jewish liturgical poem written in Hebrew, and sung during the festival of Hanukkah. The Hebrew hymn is thought to have been written during the 13th century. Originally sung only in the home, it has been used in synagogues since the 19th century. The most popular melody for the Hanukkah hymn (played in this improvisation) is an adaptation from a German folk song from around 1450.