Starter Packs

Complete your collection with these curated titles, grouped at a special discount.

Shop Now
Miracle of Miracles - Works for Hanukkah / Chicago A Cappella
Cedille

Miracle of Miracles - Works for Hanukkah / Chicago A Cappella

$19.99

Details

Composer
Robert Applebaum, Steve Barnett, Mikhl Belbart, Gerald Cohen, Joshua Fishbein, Stacy Garrop, Samuel
Artist
Chicago A Cappella
Format
CD
Label
Cedille
Released
Oct 13, 2023
Catalog #
CDR 225
UPC
735131922524

About

Chicago a cappella, the innovative vocal ensemble praised for its “clarity, well-balanced tone, and deep emotional involvement” (Washington Post), presents Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah, a new recording aimed at unveiling the richer meaning of the Festival of Lights, with music that ranges from heartfelt prayers to jazzy and playful holiday favorites, showcasing the creativity and vitality of American Jewish musical traditions.

The album features a collection of songs from more than 25 years of Chicago a cappella performances, arranged into a single program that replays the story of Hanukkah, from celebrations of the holiday itself through to its candles, miracles, religious observances, and traditional food and games. Collectively in search of Hanukkah songs from different Jewish traditions and communities, seven living composers / arrangers/musicians including Robert Applebaum, Gerald Cohen, Joshua Fishbein, Elliot Z. Levine, Jonathan Miller, Daniel Tunkel, and Mark Zuckerman bring fresh perspectives to songs celebrating the miracle of light.

Rich with liturgical and folk melodies, Miracle of Miracles demonstrates a keen sensitivity to both biblical and modern Hebrew, as well as Yiddish elements (and English) intertwined with American jazz and popular styles. The vocal network represented on this album fully encompasses the traditions of Hanukkah across the Diaspora and Jewish history. Works include Robert Applebaum’s stirring version of “Haneirot Halalu” and movements from the majestic “Hallel Cantata” by London-based Daniel Tunkel. Other familiar tunes include arrangements of “I am a Little Dreydl” both in its traditional Yiddish form, as arranged by Zuckerman, and in a neo-funk Hebrew/English setting titled “Funky Dreidl” arranged by Applebaum; a swing version of “S’vivon” by Steve Barnett; and a lively setting of the traditional melody for “Al HaNisim” (“For the Miracles”) by Levine.

Tracklist 20 tracks

  1. 1 Oh, Chanukah/Y'mei hachanukah (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble) 03:23
    Track
    1
    Title
    Oh, Chanukah/Y'mei hachanukah (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    03:23
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  2. 2 S'vivon (arr. S. Barnett for vocal ensemble) 01:22
    Track
    2
    Title
    S'vivon (arr. S. Barnett for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  3. 3 O, ir kleyne likhtelekh (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble) 03:54
    Track
    3
    Title
    O, ir kleyne likhtelekh (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  4. 4 Chanukah Lights (version for choir) 02:50
    Track
    4
    Title
    Chanukah Lights (version for choir)
    Duration
    02:50
    Composer
    Gerald Cohen
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  5. 5 Haneirot Halalu 04:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    Haneirot Halalu
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Robert Applebaum
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  6. 6 Al HaNisim (arr. E.Z. Levine for vocal ensemble) 01:47
    Track
    6
    Title
    Al HaNisim (arr. E.Z. Levine for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    01:47
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  7. 7 Al Hanisim (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble) 04:02
    Track
    7
    Title
    Al Hanisim (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    04:02
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  8. 8 Al Hanisim (For the Miracles) 04:42
    Track
    8
    Title
    Al Hanisim (For the Miracles)
    Duration
    04:42
    Composer
    Joshua Fishbein
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  9. 9 Psalm 113, "Hal'luyah!" 01:28
    Track
    9
    Title
    Psalm 113, "Hal'luyah!"
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Daniel Tunkel
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  10. 10 Psalm 114, "B'tzeit Yisrael" 01:53
    Track
    10
    Title
    Psalm 114, "B'tzeit Yisrael"
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    Daniel Tunkel
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  11. 11 Psalm 115, "Adonai Z'charanu":12-18 02:26
    Track
    11
    Title
    Psalm 115, "Adonai Z'charanu":12-18
    Duration
    02:26
    Composer
    Daniel Tunkel
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  12. 12 Psalm 118, "Hodu":1-4 01:30
    Track
    12
    Title
    Psalm 118, "Hodu":1-4
    Duration
    01:30
    Composer
    Daniel Tunkel
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  13. 13 Maoz tzur (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble) 05:25
    Track
    13
    Title
    Maoz tzur (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    05:25
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  14. 14 Lo V'chayil 03:04
    Track
    14
    Title
    Lo V'chayil
    Duration
    03:04
    Composer
    Elliot Z. Levine
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  15. 15 Fayer, fayer (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble) 01:00
    Track
    15
    Title
    Fayer, fayer (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Vladimir Heifetz
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  16. 16 Funky Dreidl (I Had a Little Dreidl) (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble) 03:38
    Track
    16
    Title
    Funky Dreidl (I Had a Little Dreidl) (arr. R. Applebaum for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    03:38
    Composer
    Samuel E. Goldfarb
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  17. 17 Ikh bin a kleyner dreydl (I Am a Little Dreydl) (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble) 01:25
    Track
    17
    Title
    Ikh bin a kleyner dreydl (I Am a Little Dreydl) (arr. M. Zuckerman for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    01:25
    Composer
    Mikhl Gelbart
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  18. 18 Biy'mey Mattityahu 04:21
    Track
    18
    Title
    Biy'mey Mattityahu
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Jonathan Miller
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  19. 19 Aleih Neiri (arr. J. Jacobson for vocal ensemble) 03:59
    Track
    19
    Title
    Aleih Neiri (arr. J. Jacobson for vocal ensemble)
    Duration
    03:59
    Composer
    Chaim Parchi
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter
  20. 20 Lo Yisa Goy 05:04
    Track
    20
    Title
    Lo Yisa Goy
    Duration
    05:04
    Composer
    Stacy Garrop
    Ensemble
    Chicago a cappella
    Conductor
    John William Trotter