Thursday, January 10, 2008

Chishki Chizki



The poem "Chishki, Chizki" was written in 1675 for the inauguration of the Spanish and Portuguese "Snoge" (synagogue) in Amsterdam, by Rabbi Isaac Aboab de Fonseca, chief rabbi of the community. It was set to music by Abraham de Casseres in the early 18th century.







I have made a one-page PDF with the full Hebrew text and an English translation that you can download here.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful recording! You have a terrific voice! Where did you come across the poem and music?

Jonathan said...

A friend told me about this poem and its history, and sent me the music. A web search provided some additional details. The original musical arrangement is actually written for four voices.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jonathan
Can you please tell me what is the hebrew origin of the word "Rimshi" (First word on the third line in the PDF)
Thanks
Rafael

Jonathan said...

Remesh means evening. I'm not saying that makes its exact meaning in the context of the poem clear and unequivocal (!) but that's what the word means.

Asnat Ricardo said...

Hello Jonathan,
Do you know by any chance where I could find the note for the original version of four voices?
Thanks,
Asnat