Exclusive Book & Movie Reviews: Traditional Cantorial And Concert Favorites Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, Naxos, (2005), $6.98

The Milken Archive enlisted golden-throated cantor, Simon Spiro, to sing and arrange a collection of pieces in its latest release, Traditional Cantorial And Concert Favorites. As is the case with the other CDs published through Naxos, this disc is beautifully recorded.

This is a disc of spiritual music that is more lofty than lively. It contains a variety of melodies to some well-known songs such as Shalom Aleikhem and Ya Ribbon Olam and less familiar pieces such as Ba'avur David and the Yiddish poem Khanike Lid. The CD is a bit shorter than some of the others in the Archive with a playing time of just over one hour for the nine tracks.

Spiro's voice is so beautiful, it could easily have been recorded without the choral background. There is no bombast or effort to prove the quality of his voice. This is a pleasant surprise given that Spiro has played the lead in Phantom of the Opera and might be expected to engage in more theatrical renditions. Instead, the melodies are simple and clear and take you to the spirtual place often sought in contemplation or in prayer.

In addition to Spiro, a London-born cantor, composer and arranger, the disk features soprano Amy Goldstein, the New York Cantorial Choir, the Ne'imah Singers, Schola Hebraeica, the world's only professional male chorus devoted to Jewish music, and a large ensemble that includes Schola known as Coro Hebraeico. The conductor is Neil Levin.

As with all the Archive CDs, this one includes wonderful liner notes that provide an extensive description of the works that are performed as well as background on the artists. Information is also available at the Milken Archive web site.

The Milken Archive is producing an astounding collection of American Jewish music – sacred and secular – with the collaboration of distinguished artists, ensembles and recording producers. We will be reviewing more of the collection in coming weeks.

Sources: Mitchel Bard is the Executive Director of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise