Search - Klaus Kölsch, Israel Harel, Martin Neeb :: Ma'a lot: The Songs of Ascents

Ma'a lot" is the plural of the Hebrew word "Ma'alah," which means "stages." Psalms 120-134 form a cycle of songs intended for use by travelers en route to the great pilgrimage feasts in Jerusalem--Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkoth. These psalms express the confidence and hope of a worshipping people, but more than that, they reveal the Israelite's social and devotional life. The emphasis on family, prosperity, and brotherly love are all be a natural part of the festive seasons, when families participate in the thanksgiving celebrations in Jerusalem. This is the first globally available CD recording of these songs of pilgrimage in their original language, featuring the original compositions of Waltraud Rennenbaum, who has composed ten of the sixteen pieces performed here.