References for the Hazzan

Melody Categorization from the Esnoga (Amsterdam)

Dr. Alexander Alvares Vega graciously provided recordings and categorizations of various important melodies, from his direct experience growing up in the Spanish & Portuguese tradition in Amsterdam before World War II.

Click on a link below to hear Dr. Vega sing part of that tune.
The first table shows melodies for communal singing, with the exception of Tehielat and Lebetecha:

• Tehielat is sung at the table before Birkat Hamazon either following En Kelokenu, or Tehielat by itself.
• Lebetecha is sung by the Hazzan on Erev Shabbat, preceding the Kaddish Le’Ela.

Reading down a column will tell you which melodies are appropriate for that piece (heading), namely the melodies on the lines marked with the first letter of that piece. Reading across a row will tell you for the melody listed on the left which of the pieces can use that melody (indicated by the first letter of that piece in the appropriate column).

The second table (marked with capital letters) are sung by the Hazzan.

Notes of interest:

• The numbers (or letters) attached to the melodies have no significance to the melodies or uses themselves
• ur melodies for Hallel are sung on Major Festivals
• Jedee rasjiem (#10) is sung on the High Holidays only
• Mie Chamocha

Melodies sung by the Hazzan