(c)2020 Words and Music by Michael Hunter Ochs Commissioned by Cantor Shira Ginsburg and East End Temple, NYC
Michael Hunter Ochs Anthology: A Preview
Welcome to a preview of the Michael Hunter Ochs Anthology...a 27 song retrospective of some of Michael's most well known songs and many newer works that have never been made available until now. The Anthology comes with a password to unlock the complete Anthology web page where you will find a wide array of bonus material and tools to bring help you bring the music to life: MP3s and/or live performance videos of each song, piano tutorials, a behind the scenes look at the songwriting process, conversations with the cantors who commissioned particular songs, multiple arrangement suggestions, and more. To purchase the Anthology or individual pieces click here.
Thank you for listening, for singing along, and for sharing these songs with your community.
Complete Anthology Song List:
A New Year * Adon Olam * Barchu * Echad Wahed * Eitz Chayim * Hashkiveinu * Kein Y'hi Ratzon * L'chah Dodi 1 * L'chach Dodi 2 * L'chah Dodi 3 * Mi Chamocha * Mi Shebeirach * Modim Anachnu Lach * A Mourner's Song * Oseh Shalom * R'tzeih * Shalom Rav * Sh'ma * Song For Ruth * Upon My Shoulders * Va-anachnu * V'shamru * We Return To You * When We Sing * Yeish Kochavim * Yih'yu L'ratzon * Y'varechecha
One part lullaby. One part prayer. Notice how the original melody that Shira sings in Hebrew can be sung by the second vocal either with the identical melody - as an echo. Or it can be played with, as I do in the video on the right, our first ever run through of the song . Feel free to experiment with a call and answer with your community -- let the congregation sing the Hebrew refrain over and over while the Cantor of soloist sings the English counterpoint. The full anthology web site contains more performance notes and a behind the song video with Michael and Cantor Ginsburg.
In this reimagining of the song the Jewish people sang during the Exodus from Egypt, each verse of Freedom looks at modern forms of slavery...slavery to hatred, prejudice, the holding of grudges, and the walls that divide people and perpetuate stereotypes. Uptempo, entirely original...and easily lends itself to be played by the most accomplished or novice temple bands and musicians.
Thank you to Cantor Shira Ginsburg. It was her idea to commission a song for mourners. We decided quickly that it had to be rooted in the traditional kaddish, to feel familiar. But it also needed to incorporate something more, something that would help connect those in mourning, or those remembering, to their loved ones. In English. Hours of research about Judaism and death ensued and the result is this song that weaves lines from the mourner's kaddish and 23rd psalm together with original English lyrics...like the waves upon the sea are separate and connected, you are gone and still by my side. As the seasons must change to dust we must return again, but love, love, love...never dies.
Above: a live video recording of A Mourner’s Song followed by a “behind the song” video about the writing process, and a studio recording.