Rav Ben-Zion Shenker, who has been preserving the Modzitzer musical tradition and composing new niggunim for more than 60 years, has a new CD.
Unlike previous CDs that were recorded at studios, the new CD was recorded live at a gathering of the rabbi and his friends, who got together for an evening of song.
They sang Modzitz tunes, old and new, including Rav Shenker’s melodies, with no musical instruments accompanying them. The result is an “unplugged” or a cappella style CD - "Shirei Mere'im" - that captures the niggunim in their purest state.
The release of the CD during the Counting of the Omer is in line with the somewhat wistful sound of the bare niggun. In addition, many observant Jews do not listen to music played by instruments during the Omer, considered a joyous experience, as it is a period of mourning for the students of Rabbi Akiva who perished in a plague. Capella singing is accepted.