The Cambridge Companion to Jewish Music

Abstract

The term "Jewish music" has conveyed complex and diverse meanings for people around the world across hundreds of years. This accessible and comprehensive Companion is a key resource for students, scholars, and everyone with an interest in the global history of Jewish music. Leading international experts introduce the broad range of genres found in Jewish music from the biblical era to today, including classical, religious, folk, popular, and dance music. Presenting a range of fresh perspectives on the field, the chapters explore Jewish liturgy, klezmer, music in Israel, the music of Yiddish theater and cinema, and classical music from the Jewish Enlightenment through the postmodern era. Additional contributions set Jewish music in context and offer an overview of the broader issues that arise in its study, such as questions of diaspora, ontology, economics, and the history of sound technologies.