Immunim III: Sefer Hadrakhah, 3rd Ed.

NEW EDITION: includes a brand new section devoted to the Weekday Service. 

Immunim III: Sefer Hadrakhah, 3rd Edition

An Annotated Guide and Commentary on the Application of Nusah Hatefillah Beminhag Ashkenaz  for the Liturgical Year

Sefer Hadrakhah is an invaluable resource for all those who lead congregations in prayer, offering insights into the traditional repertoire of the European cantor. 388 pages of music and commentary in Sefer Hadrakkah reveal the model character of Jewish music and explain in detail their use, their place in the synagogue service, and varied traditions. Widely used settings and cantorial solos in collections by Alter, Ephros, Gantchoff, Katchko, Mendelson, Shiovitz, Spiro, and others are listed by volume and page for quick and easy reference. This new edition contains an in-depth exploration of the three daily prayer services: Shaharit, Minha, and Ma’ariv.

Max Wolhberg’s original 1960 listing of Mi Sinai tunes which served as study material for the Jewish Theological Seminary’s newly created school for cantor’s, is here expanded by the addition of other sources to include nusach and tunes for the entire year. Now part of the curriculum for the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. Also includes Wohlberg’s Weekday Evening Service for solo cantor.

“I purchased two of your books (having already owned the third), which taught me everything I needed to know about the music theory of nusach in order to pass the ACC Certification exam.” ~Cantor Sharon Steinberg, Alexandria, VA

“I recommend Davidson’s . . . book as a necessary and mandatory component of every hazzan’s library.”  ~ Hazzan Gregory Yaroslow – San Bernardino, CA

“I am providing your three books to my CICA students as their basic Nusaḥ texts. There has not been anything like them.”  ~ Ḥazzan Alberto Mizrachi,                                                    Anshe Emet Synagogue, Chicago, IL

“Charles Davidson’s extensive and scholarly work on Nusaḥ, Sefer Hadrakhah, is perhaps the most important book on this subject since the publication of Baer’s Ba’al Tefillah. We encourage every colleague to purchase this volume for his/her library.” ~ Ḥazzan Stephen J. Stein, Executive Vice President, The Cantors Assembly of America

“In this book, Davidson has managed to bottle both the wisdom and the musicality of his teacher, Max Wohlberg z”l. plus his own vast experience of over four decades of teaching Nusaḥ to generations of cantors. He has poured his knowledge and teaching soul into the pages of this book, and all of us who teach Nusaḥ owe him enormous gratitude, for future students will hear him speaking-and singing-to them through these pages.”  ~ Ḥazzan Joel Caplan, Instructor Jewish Theological Seminary

” . . . a truly usable reference work for home-or classroom-use.” ~ Dr. Joseph A. Levine, Author, and Scholar

” . . . a sensational work . . . An important and wonderful gift.” ~ Ḥazzan Stephen Stein, Executive Director, The Cantor’s Assembly

“This comprehensive survey of the liturgical year will be an invaluable source for cantors of all movements.”  ~ Dr. Bruce Ruben, Dean, Hebrew Union College, School of Sacred Music

“Sefer Hadrakhah is a fabulous resource for all students of traditional Ashkenazi synagogue chant. Cantor Dr. Davidson’s work is beautifully annotated, a thorough and accessible presentation of NusaḥHatefillah; a must for every cantor and Jewish musician.” ~ Dr. Brian Mayer, Acting Dean, Hebrew College, Boston

If you like this you may also be interested in:

Weekday Services in the Ashkenazi Tradition – A complete guide to the authentic cantorial improvisation for the three weekday services, Shaharit, Minha, and Ma’ariv.

Immunim Benusah Hatefillah – The Jewish Musical Modes: A Manual for Self Study A revealing insight into cantorial improvisation in the Jewish modes with musical examples by the master composers.

Immunim Benusah Hatefillah II: Hallel – A manual for an authentic chanting of the Hallel psalms.

All three books: $135