The Ancient Biblical Lyre...

This is an improvisation on the original melody of Psalm 114,"When Israel Went Forth From Egypt",played on the "Nevel",(an ancient lyre/harp with a soundboard of animal hide),as played in the Temple of Jersusalem,over 2000 years ago...

A studio quality version of this piece can be heard on my new album, "The Ancient Biblical Lyre" - available from iTunes: http://bit.ly/9hTDje

The "Nevel" was more likely a LYRE rather than a harp (ie the strings are stretched over a bridge PARALLEL to the soundboard in a lyre, whereas in a harp, there is no bridge; the strings rise vertically from the resonator itself).

The words "Nevel" & "Kinnor" are commonly translated from the Hebrew as "Harp" & "Lyre" - wheras in reality, both these ancient Biblcial instruments were in fact just different types of LYRE. The Nevel simply had more strings than the Kinnor (about 12, compared with the 10 strings of the Kinnor), and it MAY have had a osundboard of taut hide instead of wood...

The problem here, is the lack of contemporary illustrations of the Nevel. On the other hand, there are several clear depictions of the Kinnor, so there is less mystery about exactly what the Kinnor looked/sounded like, compared with the ambiguous Biblical Nevel...

All of my 9 albums of mystical, ancient lyre music are now available from iTunes...

1)"An Ancient Lyre": http://bit.ly/dhCozi

2)"King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel":
http://bit.ly/9PCIua




3)"The Ancient Biblical Lyre": http://bit.ly/9hTDje

4)"Lyre of the Levites": http://bit.ly/9baWuM

5)"Apollo's Lyre": http://bit.ly/dhCozi

6)"Ancient Times -- Music of The Ancient World": http://bit.ly/aRF5PD

7)"The Ancient Greek Modes": http://bit.ly/cZks0o

8)"The Ancient Greek Lyre": http://bit.ly/bxO7Ra

9)"Ancient Visions -- New Compositions for an Ancient Lyre": http://bit.ly/dCPmRN

Physical CDs are also available anywhere in the world from CD Baby, for 3 of my best selling albums:

"An Ancient Lyre": http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mlevy4

"King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel":
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mlevy

"Lyre of the Levites": http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mlevy2

For full details about my albums of lyre music, and the fascinating ancient historical background, please visit my official website:

http://www.ancientlyre.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ancient
• israel
• shabbat
• שלום
• shalom
• hatikva
• jewish
• klezmer
• synagogue
• yiddish
• early
• music
• lyre
• torah

[BHMSteven]

My little sister-in-law has been asking for a lyre. I'd love to see a video with some explanation about the lyre's history, its physical layout, how to read (and find!) music written for it, etc. Your playing is very beautiful. It would be a special treat if such an introduction to the lyre came from you.

[Klezfiddle1]

@BHMSteven Please see my videos "The Ancient History of the Biblical Lyres". For full historical details, my series of online lyre lessons & my 10 albums of lyre music on iTunes, my 3 CD albums, pease visit my official website (URL given on my Youtube Channel Page!)

[westwatford]

you should get this stuff put onto vinyl to sell its nice

[Klezfiddle1]

@westwatford A studio quality version of this piece can now be heard on my album, "The Ancient Biblical Lyre" - available from iTunes, Amazon MP3 Store & CD Baby!

[lneira41086]

I would love to know what cd of yours has this song so that I may buy it.

[Klezfiddle1]

@lneira41086 I have finally recorded a studio quality version of this beautiful, ancient melody on my album, "The Ancient Biblical Lyre" - available from iTunes, Amazon MP3 & CD Baby. If you are able to "spread the word" I would be amazingly grateful! Thanks again for listening...

[Jokkemokke]

Shalom!

[jstrouse]

This song, I believe, is my favorite reconstructed hymn. It is the theme of the Israelites and their liberation from bondage.

[MartialIrie]

Hey guys... Im surprised that there are melodys to Psalms...Is there something like a list of biblical songs? Is it really fact that they are originally from ancient times?

Thx ;)

I.Dot

[lkevins1]

Where can I purchase a lyre of the type being played?

[th3w4tchm3n]

isn't there a 22 string lyre/harp as well?

[Klezfiddle1]

This ancient melody, traditonally sang to Psalm 114, was used by both the early Christian Church and early Synagogues...suggesting that the melody may have predated the time when the Jewish and Christian religions splitt apart...maybe even to the original melody sang by the Levitical Choir in the Temple of Jerusalem. I hear it on a fascinating recording by San Antonio Vocal Ensemble, called "Music from the Time of Jesus & Jerusalem's Second Temple"