Join us on WRTI to experience music for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the sacred days of awe on the Jewish calendar. We wish all of our listeners observing the high holidays a happy and healthy New Year.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, Sept. 22. Join us that day to hear festive music for the Jewish New Year including works by Salamone Rossi.
And then from 5 to 6 p.m. we bring you Musical Memories of the High Holidays with Itzhak Perlman. One of the greatest violinists of our time shares the memories and the recordings that mean the most to him this time of year — from cantorial singing to raucous klezmer fiddling, to classical favorites, including several of his own performances.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23 we'll have more music to mark the holiday by Ernest Bloch and Louis Lewandowski. Then from 9 to 10 p.m. on WRTI HD-2, you'll hear The Birthday Of The World, Part I. Recorded over a decade ago, Leonard Nimoy and The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble join forces to explore the rich and profound musical and spiritual traditions of the Jewish High Holy Days.
You'll hear some of the most inspiring music in the Jewish liturgical tradition, performed by the acclaimed vocal ensemble The Western Wind. The late Mr. Nimoy's timeless narration focuses on the universal themes of redemption and divine forgiveness.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) begins at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 1 with Kol Nidre, and from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on WRTI you'll hear Music For Yom Kippur narrated by Naomi Lewin. This program commemorates the holiday with traditional melodies and classical music. Performers include tenor Richard Tucker, cellist Ofra Harnoy, the London Philharmonic, violinist Miriam Kramer, and pianist Simon Over.
Later, from 9 to 10 p.m. on WRTI HD-2, you'll hear The Birthday Of The World, Part II hosted again by Leonard Nimoy.
On Yom Kippur day, Thursday, Oct. 2, join us for contemplative works by David Diamond, Salamone Rossi, Ernest Bloch and more.
Watch cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, accompanied by pianist Irina Botan, perform Prayer, the first movement from Ernest Bloch's From Jewish Life in 2023. The work captures the essence of a traditional Ashkenazi synagogue prayer with its minor motif and sense of spiritual longing, much like the melody used by Max Janowski in his setting of Avinu Malkenu.
Join us to hear Prayer, From Jewish Life, on WRTI, Tuesday, Sept. 23, along with other music for Rosh Hashanah.