The Songs Of Solomon, Volume 2: Holiday And Festival Music

Released in 1997 by the PGM label, this recording serves as a significant installment in the project to document the works of the 17th-century Italian Jewish composer Salomone Rossi. Rossi is historically celebrated as a pioneer who integrated contemporary Baroque techniques into synagogue liturgy, creating a bridge between early modern classical music and traditional Hebrew text. This specific volume focuses on the holiday and festival repertoire, reflecting the sophisticated musical landscape of the Mantuan court where Rossi served.

The New-York Baroque Ensemble, under the direction of Eric Milnes, sought to capture the intimacy and period-appropriate texture of Rossi's compositions. By utilizing historical performance practices, the ensemble aimed to move away from romanticized interpretations, favoring instead the crisp, polyphonic clarity characteristic of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. Upon its release, the recording was well-regarded by scholars and critics for its technical precision and its contribution to the niche field of early Jewish art music.