Jewish songs of the 13th century in langue d’oïl and Hebrew

This program revives the life in sound of the Jewish communities of North of France in the 13th century, and their relations with the music and poetry of the minstrels.

Based on songs collected by Colette Sirat, specialist of medieval Hebrew manuscripts, a whole cultural universe - festive, religious ans popular - invites itself through surprisingly vigorous music, where langue d’oïl alternates with Hebrew. Holiday songs (Rosh Hashana, Passover…) follow funny wedding songs, and their dances. Religious poems (piyyoutim) speak, with emotion, of the tragic fate lived by several Jewish communities during this time, between the burning of the Talmud (1242-1244) and the expulsion by Philippe le Bel in 1306.

This musical story will be colored with many sound samples from the CD « Jews and Trouvères - Jewish songs in the 13th century in old French and Hebrew », from the collection MUSICAL HERITAGE OF THE JEWS FROM FRANCE, and discussed with Brigitte Lesne, co-director of the ensemble Alla Francesca, and Colette Sirat.

Listen to samples from the CD « Jews and Trouvères - Jewish songs in the 13th century in old French and Hebrew ».

Purchase thee CD Jews and Trouvères - CD-PMJF Vol.12, Ed.IEMJ, on our online shop

Emission radio Chansons juives du 13e siècle - Hervé Roten (Judaïques FM 94.8)

Officer of the Ordre of Arts and letters, PhD in musicology at Paris University Sorbonne, prize-winning graduate from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, Hervé Roten is the director of the European Institute for Jewish Music since its creation in 2006.
Ethnomusicologist, he quickly developed an interest in the safeguard and digitization of archives, subjects he taught for several years in Reims and Marne-La-Vallée universities.
Author of many articles, books and recordings related to Jewish music, producer of radio programs, Hervé Roten is recognized today as one of the best specialists of Jewish music in the world.