A must for anyone interested in Jewish musical development

Mr. Idelsohn takes the reader on a musical trek of discovery. One of the greatest casualties of centuries of oppression against the Jewish people was their musical expression - as a unique art form arose, the community would be destroyed and dispersed leaving behind only an echo which was picked up by survivors. Jewish music today is a hybrid with a strong foundation from Temple times. The author explains the connection and proves the point that even though Jewish music was influenced by non-Jewish music, that same non-Jewish music owes much to the ancient Hebrew modes that preceded it.Stephen Simpson (steves@shani.net) 1997