The Jewish Maqam: Back by Popular Demand

Beit Avi Chai presetns “The Jewish Maqam”: The series returns with special guests and new arrangements

A journey to the roots of classic Mizrahi music as found in Biblical cantillation, prayer, and sacred Jewish songMusical direction: Piris Eliyahu

Six concerts with explanations about the maqam, the basic structure of classical Mizrahi music, with leading guest musicians and cantors

Each session will include an introductory lecture with demonstrations, followed by a one-hour concert. Research, production, and performance: Piris Eliyahu, tar / Rabbi David Menahem, vocals / Mark Eliyahu, kamancha and saz / Yair Harel, percussion and vocals

Part 1: Maqam Nava-Beauty and MajestyNava means “melody” in Farsi and “beautiful” in Hebrew. There are grounds for suggesting that this maqam was very common in ancient Jewish music. In the Middle Eastern Jewish tradition this mode is used for Friday night prayers and for the reading of Psalms, the Song of Songs, and the Zohar. Guest musician: Neeman Kihan, SanturThursday, January 12, 21:00

Part 2: Maqam Segah-Nobility and SplendorSegah in Farsi means “third position” or “third system.” This maqam, which is based on the third degree of the main mode (rast), is very widespread among the Jews of the Middle East and is used for the reading of the Torah in all Middle Eastern Jewish ethnic groups. It also appears in the High Holiday prayers, in Pirkei Avot, in the weekday prayers, and more.Guest musician: Yehuda Yona, canoonThursday, January 26, 9 PM

Part 3: Maqam Homayun or Hijaz-YearningHomayun is the Farsi word for “royal.” This maqam is considered sad and expresses a sense of longing and yearning. It is common in North African Jewish traditions and is used for the reading the Torah. Guest artist: cantor and payytan Maimon CohenThursday, February 9, 21:00

Part 4: Maqam Rast – Father of the MaqamsRast in Farsi means “straight,” “right,” “just.” In Jewish tradition the rast, which expresses festivity and optimism, is found in the Shabbat afternoon prayers.*This concert will include original arrangements by Piris Eliyahu to texts from Sefer Yetzirah (the Book of Creation). | Guest musician: Gad Tidhar, OudThursday, March 15, 21:00Admission: NIS 30; students: NIS 20; in P7, Space limited

Part 5: Maqam Shur or Bayat – Mother of the MaqamsThe most complex and highly developed of all the maqams. The word shur means “passion” in Farsi and “looking” in Hebrew. In Arab music this maqam is known as bayat. It is heard on Saturday night in the Havdalah ceremony and in piyyutim, as well as in some High Holiday prayers and in the liturgy of Kurdish Jewry. | Guest artist: Yochai Barak, Saz

Thursday, March 22, 21:00

Admission: NIS 30; students: NIS 20in P7, Space limited

Part 6: Maqam Mahur or Ajam – The Bright LightThe month of Mahur is the Persian equivalent of Tammuz. This maqam corresponds to the Western major scale and expresses joy, brightness, and light. It is found in the reading of the Haftarah and morning High Holiday service among Iraqi Jews. | Guest artists: Elad Gabbay, Kanoun, Oud; cantor Ishai Menahem.Thursday, March 29, 21:00Admission: NIS 30; students: NIS 20; in P7, Space limited

This is a Hebrew-language only event.