Musical Characteristics of Spanish–Portuguese Biblical Cantillation 

Authors

  • Essica Marks Zefat Academic College  Author

Keywords:

Spanish-Portuguese liturgy, Biblical cantillation

Abstract

The article examines the musical characteristics of the Spanish-Portuguese biblical cantillation. The analysis is based on recordings and interviews of three prominent cantors of the Spanish-Portuguese liturgy.  The study presented in the article found that the rhythmic patterns of the Spanish-Portuguese biblical cantillation resemble the Eastern and Moroccan Sephardic biblical cantillations, but the tonal base differs from that of the two other Sephardic groups and consists of distinctive characteristics. 

Author Biography

  • Essica Marks, Zefat Academic College 

    Dr. Essica Marks is a senior lecturer at the Zefat Academic College and Head of the Literature, Art and Music department. She is employed as a fellow researcher at the Jewish Research Music Center based in the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Her topics of research are: Ethnographic study, the liturgy of various Jewish traditions, history and theory of Arab music and Arab Music in Israel. 

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Published

2024-04-16

Issue

Vol. 14 (2017)

Section

Articles