I. The Pleasures And Challenges of Oral Traditions

A representation of the process of research, arrangement and presentation of the unique Sephardic repertoire which has been preserved by oral transmission. Examples of original sources are presented, as are aspects of the development of musical arrangement. We discuss:
a. the broad range of musical influences which affected this repertoire
b. the uses of instruments from the Near and Middle East, as well as those from Medieval and Renaissance Europe
c. our unique process of composing arrangements

 

 II. Critical Listening Class
A lecture using musical examples to demonstrate the following concepts:
1. Differences between western and eastern music
2. Echoes of flamenco music in Judeo-Spanish musical traditions
3. Spanish folk song preserved by the Spanish Jews
4. Turkish folk song preserved and adapted by the Spanish Jews
5. Bulgarian folk dance reflected in Judeo-Spanish repertoire
6. Primitive chant reflected in Judeo-Spanish repertoire
7. The medieval Spanish ballad preserved in exile for 500 years
8. Modern compositions which evolved from all of the above.

FOR DEPARTMENTS OF SPANISH, HISTORY, LITERATURE

 I. Pre-Expulsion Spain - an Aural Perspective
A unique approach to Spain prior to 1492 through the ears and eyes of the Spanish Jews, the Sephardim, who preserved their Spanish heritage and language, Judeo-Spanish (often called Ladino) for five centuries, in exile. Through analysis of the romansero a body of ballads preserved by oral tradition, this performance/lecture offers insights into Spanish language, history, geography, folklore, linguistics and poetics.

 II. Spanish civilization class
We perform and discuss a variety of old ballads whose texts reflect pictures of medieval Spain, including historical perspectives of the Moorish world. We also include some recent compositions which reflect the continuing attachment of the Spanish Jews to their historical homeland.

 JUDAIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT

 It Was Always a Time of Singing: An Introduction to Sephardic Culture through Para-liturgical and Ballad Repertoire.
Concert focuses on a significant part of Sephardic musical repertoire that includes para-liturgical holiday celebration customs, as well as ballades which tell Bible stories. This repertoire is a fascinating reflection of the diverse cultural influences on the Sephardic diaspora--the "paths of exile"--as well as unique central motifs of the Sephardim from the time of the Spanish Inquisition to the present.

 WOMEN'S STUDIES DEPARTMENT

 Kitchen Archivists: The Role of Sephardic Women in the Preservation of the Judeo-Spanish Musical Repertoire.
A performance/lecture which reveals the processes by which the Sephardic women were "curators" of an intangible library of folk and para-liturgical traditions for more than 500 years in exile. The lecture explores music and folktales that have been the particular domain of women, analyzing each from historical, sociological, personal and literary perspectives.

 Please note:  Unless the venue is local (Boston Area), these lectures are offered in conjunction with a concert appearance

Suggested lecture time: 45 minutes—1 hour; or class session