Jewish Studies Unscrolled

‘Raisins and Almonds’ and Yiddish Folk Song in Classical Folk Music, With Alex Weiser

Alex Weiser joins us to trace the journey of ‘Rozhinkes mit Mandlen’ from Yiddish lullaby to theatrical centerpiece to modern reinterpretations

December 31, 2024

Today on Jewish Studies Unscrolled, we explore the history and evolution of “Rozhinkes mit Mandlen” (Raisins and Almonds), the iconic Yiddish lullaby written by Avrom Goldfaden for his 1880 operetta Shulamis. Our guest, Pulitzer Prize finalist Alex Weiser, director of public programs at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, joins us to discuss the song’s transformation from its original folk origins in the rendition, “Unter dem Kinds Vigele” (Under the Child’s Cradle), to a theatrical centerpiece, as well as its lasting influence on Jewish music. Beginning with a field recording by the folklorist Ruth Rubin, we discuss how this simple lullaby inspired classical compositions by Lazare Saminsky, Joseph Achron, Stefan Wolpe, and Judith Shatin.

You can read Alex’s article for Tablet about Yiddish folk songs in classical music here.

Jewish Studies Unscrolled
‘Raisins and Almonds’ and Yiddish Folk Song in Classical Folk Music, With Alex Weiser
Alex Weiser joins us to trace the journey of ‘Rozhinkes mit Mandlen’ from Yiddish lullaby to theatrical centerpiece to modern reinterpretations
December 31, 2024
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