Khei Ha’olamim—Life of the Worlds—Journeys in Jewish Sacred Music (PDF)
by Cantor Richard Kaplan
Ira Bigeleisen, Journal of Synagogue Music, Cantor’s Assembly 2010
Reviews for Tuning the Soul
"I love this recording! Kaplan and Ziegler have drawn on numerous sacred and folk music traditions, Jewish and otherwise, to find new or neglected settings for Jewish liturgical texts. The result is an album of haunting, moving music performed by both men and a cast of superb guest musicians. Especially recommended to those who love the sounds of Middle Eastern music, the dominant flavor in this mix." Rating: 5 stars *****
George Robinson, New York Jewish Week
"It's a moving piece of work. It deals with states of mind that I'll enjoy visiting for years to come."
Stuart Brotman, Brave Old World
"Tuning the Soul is one of the most transcendent works you'll hear. The music itself reaches both inward and upward."
JUF News Chicago
"Richard Kaplan and Michael Ziegler have produced that rare recording which makes the new holy and renews the old. Tuning the Soul provides a superb antidote to the mediocrity of syrupy or campy American Jewish music and a great way to get back into the sheer power of our traditional music. We are both a European and Middle Eastern people and we can truly feel it here!" Jonathan Seidel, Tikkun
"Richard Kaplan and Michael Ziegler have the Arabic maqamat (tonal organizations) down cold. They convey a clear sense of that Mizrachi inner world... it's enough to get this album and tune your own soul toward the sacred."
Aaron Howard, Jewish Herald-Voice
