Metamorphosis of a Melody.  On the migration and transformation of the Hasidic nigun into the American synagogue owing to the influence of Shlomo Carlebach and others.

 

We would of course mention that Carlebach is a controversial figure without opening up the controversy itself.  We would focus on the music, first giving some background about Hasidic nigunim before discussing the changes wrought first and foremost by Carlebach.  Carlebach introduced his Hasidic-based songs in Jewish contexts with little or no relation to Hasidism.  And he employed instrumental accompaniment, chiefly the guitar, which in turn affected the rhythmic and harmonic nature of the tunes.  Their Hasidic roots are clear, but now they sound a little more like, say, Pete Seeger.  Carlebach democratized Jewish music,  As Rabbi Noah put it to me, “his music is simple enough that now anyone thinks they can write a niggun.  And they do."