Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

It is fair to assume that anyone reading this review is interested in music and, specifically, Christian music. What we have on this CD is certainly music: Cantor Miller has a fine tenor voice and could hold his own with most opera singers and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra accompany him well. But is this Christian music? Of course not. Cantor Miller is working in the Ashkenazi tradition that flourished in Eastern Europe in the early years of the 20th century and survives still in North America. In this context what originated as worship within the synagogue led by a professional musician has developed into a unique sub-category of works intended for concert performance. Your reviewer makes no claims to be an expert on this genre and owes the above to the extensive booklet notes by Neil W Levin. However as a listener I thoroughly enjoyed what I heard. The texts are sung in Hebrew or Yiddish but translations are provided enabling all of us to listen in on something that should be of interest even if it is never going to become a part of our own culture.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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