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Russian-Jewish Art Music: The Voice Of A People, Delora J. Neuschwander

B.A. in Music Senior Capstone Projects

Every culture has a distinct way of communicating their core values, beliefs and history, and for many cultures, music plays a vital role in this communication. The Jewish people have a rich heritage marked by very distinct traditions, values and beliefs which are communicated in what has come to be known as “Jewish Art Music.” This is music composed in the Western-Russian classical idiom which utilizes distinctly Jewish elements. A deeper understanding of this music will give outsiders a better understanding into the culture and heritage of the Jewish people.

This paper explores the characteristics of Jewish music, particularly that …