La kantiga de Ririka
Alternative Title: “La kantiga renombrada”
Se vistyo la Reina Ester
Alternative Title: La kaida de Aman
Malato esta el fijo del Rey
Alternative Title: "The Death of Prince Don Juan"
Biva biva Palestina
Alternative Title: La esperanza Palestina
Durme, me linda donzeya
Alternative Title: “Durme, durme, ermoza donzeya,” “La ermoza durmiente”, “La bella durmiente”,''La ermoza dunzelia”
Ventanas altas tyenes tu
Alternative Title: “Ventanas altas tyenes tu”, “La kantiga de Hanum Dudu”, “Una noche yo me armi”, “Una noche yo passi”
All the categories
Endechas-Θρήνοι
Λαϊκά
Του έρωτα - γάμου
Παιδικά
Ιστορικά
Θρησκευτικών εορτών
Του σιωνιστικού κινήματος
All Songs
Jewish Music Tradition in the Greek Area
from the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki
The present study is based on the archive of Flora Molcho, which includes unique recordings and narratives of her parents, Holocaust survivors from Thessaloniki. From this material emerge well-known but also rare, possibly unique, songs of the Sephardic tradition in Greece.
Additionally, three other key sources are utilized: Alberto Hemsi's Cancionero Sefardi, Rab. Michael Molho's work on the customs and traditions of the Sephardim of Thessaloniki, and the database of the Maale Adumim Institute, which gathers valuable archival material thanks in part to Moshe Shaul's extensive collection effort through Kol Israel radio.
The songs are examined and compared in their different versions from regions of Greece, such as Drama, Kavala, Rhodes, and Thessaloniki. Their classification is both thematic (romantic, historical, religious, children's songs, etc.) and based on their poetic structure (kopla, kantiga, romansa, etc.). Translations are rendered accurately, primarily based on the dictionary of Joseph Nehama, with the contribution of Ladino speakers from the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki.
The aim of the study is to offer musicians, researchers, and interested parties a comprehensive understanding of each song: historical elements, different lyrical versions, audio samples of Sephardim after the war, access to key bibliographic sources, and musical guides based on the most complete recordings. In cases where the melody is not clearly captured and no other performances are available, no musical guide is provided.
25 rare pieces from Flora Molho's archive, on which the research on the app was based.
Long narrative songs, usually sung on the anniversary of the destruction of Solomon's Temple (Tisha be Av), the saddest day in the Jewish calendar.
Secular songs that draw their themes from everyday life and from events in the life of each lyricist. They are sung spontaneously, without a specific occasion. Their style is reminiscent of Greek rebetika, where a song can be dedicated to a person from the creator's environment.
These songs express either romantic desire or erotic disappointment. They often take the form of a serenade, with tender confessions to the beloved, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and longing.
These include lullabies, songs for arrangements, and prayers for children. There are also songs sung by relatives on the birth of a boy or girl, as well as songs especially intended for the children themselves.
Songs with themes inspired by historical events. A typical example is "Incendyo de Saloniko", which refers to the great fire of Thessaloniki in 1917.
These are secular songs that accompany Jewish holidays such as Purim, Pesach, Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah. They often draw their themes from the Hebrew Bible, with references to biblical figures and stories, such as the sacrifice of Abraham or the story of Queen Esther.
These songs reflect the hope and timeless longing of the Jewish people for a return to the land of Palestine and the establishment of the Jewish state. Despite their historical and political content, they are often light-hearted and are sung by adults and children alike.