In Search of a Sacred Ethos: Articles, Essays, and Lectures on Music and Culture

This book is a collection of articles, essays, and lectures about my search and research into music as a form of sacred cultural expression. Its title derives from an article I wrote for the Israel Composers League 50th anniversary brochure, New Music in Israel 1985-1987, concerning contemporary art music in Israel. Many of these essays, however, draw upon personal experiences and compositions in America, Europe and Israel. They discuss topics of the creative will towards the sacred perspectives of inspiration, creativity, education, and art – often, but not always, focusing upon Jewish history, identity, ethnic influences, and contemporary cultural issues. In this, I recall working intimately with a true gospel folk song creator, unknown and unsung by her church and by the world. Many chapters originated as class lectures, others at the universities and museums in Israel and Jerusalem, while still others were presented at international festivals, forums, meetings, and conferences around the world in Europe, South America, and Asia to teachers, students, composers, and scholars from Santiago to London, Taipei to Abu Dabi. Regardless of religious orientation or conviction, all found common ground in a shared thrust towards the sacred and divine. Supplementary musical examples and YouTube links contained in these essays weave general topics with original compositions and biblical themes.