Abstract - Britt Srour

This essay is a brief study of a special musical tradition of Syrian Jews around the world : pizmonim, which are Hebrew texts set to Arabic melodies and songs. The pizmonim tradition has developed over time and continues to evolve with the help of new music and modern generations. Pizmonim were greatly influenced by Rabbi Raphael Taboush from Aleppo, Syria and his students Moses Ashear, Hayyim Tawil, and Eliyahu Menaged. After the Jews left Syria, this musical concept spread to different parts of the world, specifically New York City, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Jerusalem. The pizmonim tradition has been preserved through oral transmission and written texts, particularly Cantor Gabriel Shrem’s book Shir Ushbahah Hallel Ve-Zimrah. Pizmonim are based on Middle Eastern music and concepts. Two Arab musicians who influenced pizmonim are Umm Kulthum and Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab. In addition, the Arab musical concept of maqamat, which refers to a specific tune or scale used for melodies, is commonly used for pizmonim. Pizmonim and maqamat are studied and practiced during early Sabbath morning gatherings in which religious poetic songs known as bakkashot are sung. The transition between various bakkashot is called petihot. A petiha may be an improvised tune or a pizmon used as a bridge between two songs. The pizmonim tradition is still maintained today, while new pizmonim are composed by cantors and the ‘new generation.’ Cantors, or hazzanim, are important in the transmission of pizmonim and the composition of new pieces. They also teach children in schools and create interest in pizmonim. Cantor Isaac Cabasso is constantly singing pizmonim and teaching others about this musical tradition. Also, Professor Kay Kaufman Shelemay from Harvard University extensively studied pizmonim and the Syrian Jews, as discussed in her book Let Jasmine Rain Down. Nowadays there is an urge to restore the pizmonim tradition and create new tunes. Therefore, pizmonim is a musical tradition of Syrian Jews that connects the past, present and future.

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