Last week we explored some interesting information about Sol Zim and his 1984 performance of his Shalom Aleichem. In continuing with the topic of Sol Zim, the Performer/Cantor/Composer/Choral Director/ Arranger/Teacher, I share with you that just today I was having a discussion with a Cantorial friend about Sol Zim’s use of nigunim, wordless melodies.
Cantor Zim usually writes these sing-along wordless melodies with simple syllables like lai, lai lai into most of his compositions; It’s a way of allowing everyone to get involved in singing. I guess that I took them for granted as just being a part of their original settings for the prayers.
However, she reminded me that Sol Zim is a great nigun (wordless melody) writer, in and of itself. She extracts these wordless melodies from his liturgical pieces to use on their own when she needs a nigun to introduce a mood. How lovely that she uses them for other purposes! Personally, I find it hard not to venture forward and start singing the prayer they were written for! Oy! It’s something automatic for me!
I remember how excited Sol was when he wrote this Mi Chamocha with it’s nigun that weaves through it. He introduced the melody at an evening service for students and faculty at a school retreat and threaded the lai lai lai part of this Mi Chamocha throughout the rest of the service. It was really effective for setting a mood for the evening prayers.
I have selected a beautiful recording of it by Cantor Ari Litvak who was born in Buenos Aires and is now the Cantor at Comunidad Bet El of Mexico. He is a fine musician and arranger and is gifted with a lovely voice.
It is a classy video with excerpts from the unforgettable 1956 Paramount production of Cecil B. DeMille’s, The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston amongst a galaxy of stars. The video also features clips from the 1998 animated musical drama film, The Prince of Egypt, produced by Dreamworks Animation and directed by Brenda Chapman.