Sh'ma Koleinu
Music by Max Helfman, 1973 Text: High Holy Day Liturgy
This composition by Max Helfman is one of the most famous settings of this text. It is stark, jolting, haunting and beautiful.
Most of all, this piece is prayerful. Helfman expertly sets the text with a leap in the voice over the word “Shema” drawing
out the cry for God to hear our prayers. The music is speech-like and yearning over the words “Hashiveinu Adonai Eilecha” highlighting our yearning to return to God. The tension over “Al Tashlicheinu” emulates our fervent wish that God not turn away from us. The music peaks, ebbs, and flows throughout, echoing our cries, emulating our hopeful prayers.
Lauren Furman, Voice
Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano
Most of all, this piece is prayerful. Helfman expertly sets the text with a leap in the voice over the word “Shema” drawing
out the cry for God to hear our prayers. The music is speech-like and yearning over the words “Hashiveinu Adonai Eilecha” highlighting our yearning to return to God. The tension over “Al Tashlicheinu” emulates our fervent wish that God not turn away from us. The music peaks, ebbs, and flows throughout, echoing our cries, emulating our hopeful prayers.
Lauren Furman, Voice
Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano