Nahwand - نهاوند

Introduction

Nahwand - נהוונד - is named after a city in Iranian Kurdistan. This maqam was popular in Iran and Turkey before it made its way down to Syria and Egypt. This maqam was common among the Turks and Aleppo's close proximity to Turkey would account for a number of older pizmonim bearing Turkish musical origins.

Nahwand is the closest equivalent of the Western Minor Scale. The maqam is easy on the western ear and encompasses modern day Israeli tunes. There are many "Westernized" songs in this maqam.

In terms of perasha associations, this maqam is applied in cases of disharmony and conflict (i.e Vayesheb, Qorah, Matot, etc.).

Even though it is listed in the pizmonim book as a possible Shabbat maqam up to seven times a year, this is a new innovation. All older listings, both manuscripts and printed, fail to list Maqam Nahwand as an option. According to Arabic music scholars, this maqam was considered off limits for holy use until about 100 years ago when a well-respected Sheikh used it for the first time for religious chanting. Since that time it has begun to make roadways in Aleppo's Islamic and Jewish communities.

Nahwand tetrachord: starting on C

Index

Pizmon	Page	Song	Commentary	Recordings	Application
255	205	שרים רוזנים	Wedding song. British Library Or. 10375	Fule Yanani Y. Bozo Recording I Cabasso Yosef Bozo - Qaddish	נשמת
256	206	אודה לאל	Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript	Arabic I Cabasso - Qaddish	קדיש
257	207	רצה לשירי	Introduction to the following song.	I. Cabasso Recording G Shrem	שמחים
258	207	בבית נאוה		Moshe Mustachi Recording Maury Blanco and the Aram Soba Orchestra
259	207	לנרי ואורי	Raphael Tabbush Hanukkah.	E. Menaged Recording Recording J Mosseri - EH	שועת עניים
260	207	אל אבי מחסדך	Raphael Tabbush	I. Cabasso E. Menaged E. Sayegh Recording Maury Blanco and the Aram Soba Orchestra	נשמת
261	208	ישמחו נא עם ישרים	Tabbush Manuscript
262	208	ארמוני יה נזנח	Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript
262.1	208a	ירושלים של זהב	Naomi Shemer The pizmon "Yerushalayim Shel Zahab" (NAHWAND, page 208A), translated as "Jerusalem of Gold," is an Israeli song written by Naomi Shemer (1930-2004). This song, written in May 1967, became an unofficial second national anthem after Israel won the Six Day War (June 1967) and liberated Jerusalem. It's melody is based on the Basque lullaby "Pello Joxepe." The song originally had 3 stanzas but a fourth one was added after the Six Day War. The theme of the song is about the Jewish people's longing for Jerusalem. There is a stark contrast between the second stanza, which mourns over the sad, dry, and empty streets, and the amended fourth stanza, which celebrates the return to Jerusalem with happy streets full of life. Some say that the timing of the composition of this song is nothing short of prophetic. The melody of this song made its way to synagogue services and is usually heard transposed to various pieces of prayer around Yom Yerushalayim (28 Iyar).	Fule Yanani G Shrem	שמחים
262.2	208b	מרום אל רם	ASaban Bar Misvah of Moise Jacob Beida, June 1984. Composed by Abraham Saban Cohen.
263	209	עליון על כל רמים	Shabbat Hazon.	Arabic J. Mosseri	קדיש
264	209	רצה רחשי	Tabbush Manuscript
265	210	אתה אל כביר	Raphael Tabbush The initials at the beginning of each stanza form the acrostic 'Ani Refael'. The song talks about Israel's redemption. The beginning of the pizmon has the composer turning to God to ask for mercy. The composer says that he will not stop praying until his prayers are accepted. He prays for the redemption of the Jewish people, the gathering of the exile, and returning to the Land of Israel. Tabbush Manuscript	E. Sayegh I. Cabasso- Nishmat G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem Recording R. Elnadav R Barzani- Qaddish Isaac Cabasso- Nishmat Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish R Elnadav Turkish	נשמת
266	210	לעיר חנה דורשה דודי	Raphael Tabbush	E. Menaged G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording M Habusha	נשמת
267	211	רם ונעלם אדון עולם	Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript	G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Shabetai Laniado	שועת עניים
268	211	תכון לעד		Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording Recording I Cabasso I Cabasso Shabetai Laniado- HM	נשמת
269	212	רואה ובוחן לבב הכל	Raphael Tabbush	I. Cabasso Recording	נקדישך
270	212	רננות שירו אחי	Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript	I. Cabasso G. Shrem I Cabasso I Cabasso	שמחים
271	213	אחזה בנועם	Raphael Tabbush "Ehze BeNoam" (NAHWAND, page 213), translated as "I will gaze at the pleasantness of Your face," is a song written by master composer, H Raphael Antebi Tabbush (d. 1918). The 6 stanzas of the song form the acrostic: "Ani Refael" (אני רפאל). Though a favorite at the Shabbat afternoon Sebbits, this melody is almost never applied to any of the pieces of prayers. This composition describes what the author envisions he will do once he leaves the exile; dwelling in the House of the Lord, bowing in the holy sanctuary, and offering the burnt sacrifice in the Temple. He then asks for the Blessing of Abraham and not to be humiliated while in exile. He continues by asking for God to hasten the redemption for the Jewish nation. The battered Jewish nation, at times, feels "chained" (עגונים) in their exile, but finds comfort in their study of the Torah. The author asks God to accept the praises and songs of His beloved nation, because He is a merciful God that forgives transgressions and is eternally kind. Tabbush Manuscript	M Kairey Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording R Elnadav	פזמון
272	214	אל חובי יסלח לי	Raphael Tabbush
273	214	למה הקץ נסתם נא	Raphael Tabbush This pizmon, written in the 19th century by Refael Antebi, is based on a very popular Arabic (Egyptian) song of the times. This pizmon is commonly sung on Shabbat.	G. Shrem I. Cabasso- Qedusha G. Shrem Recording R Barzani- Naqdishakh Recording	נקדישך
274	214	יה נחלה המצחה	Raphael Tabbush	E. Menaged G. Shrem I. Cabasso- Qaddish G. Shrem Recording Recording	קדיש
275	215	אודך אודך	Raphael Tabbush Tabbush Manuscript	I. Cabasso- Semehim G. Shrem Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Recording	שמחים
276	215	רעיוני יחיד	Raphael Tabbush Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	G. Shrem G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Eliahou Ozen- Nishmat Isaac Cabasso- Rau Banim	ממצרים
277	216	יבנה ביתו	Raphael Tabbush	I. Cabasso Recording Moshe Habusha	שועת עניים
278	216	רחום אתה	Raphael Tabbush "Rahum Ata" (NAHWAND, page 216) is composed by H Rephael Tabbush (Aleppo, ~1830 - Cairo, 1918), author of the "Shir Ushbaha" pizmonim book (1888). According to the notes of H Moshe Ashear, this song is reserved for Shabbat Beshalah (Shabbat Shira), and the Seventh Day of Pesah. There are 4 stanzas in this pizmon; corresponding to ר-פ-א-ל. The melody of this pizmon is called "Bafta Hindi," and can be applied to Mimisrayim on weeks of Maqam NAHWAND. "Merciful are You for redeeming us from captivity," the pizmon opens; referring to the captivity of slavery under Pharaoh. The second verse is a prayer to redeem us now and to send Eliahu the Prophet to herald the redemption. After we hear of the redemption, the third verse says that we will sing praises to God. The fourth verse mentions how on the seventh day after the Exodus, God rescued our nation by overpowering nature and splitting the Red Sea. Hamaoui Manuscript Tabbush Manuscript	I. Cabasso M Kairey Fule Yanani G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Musa Camjagi- Semehim I Cabasso	ממצרים
279	216	יחיד רם חי לעולם	Isaac Abadi Dahab Turkish melody.	Yosef Hamaoui G. Shrem Fule Yanani G. Shrem Recording	אל ההודאות
280	217	בשם יי אקרא	Moses Ashear Rishty. Ashear Manuscript	I. Cabasso
281	218	מריא ראשי וכבודי	Moses Ashear Isaac Shalom. Ashear Manuscript	I. Cabasso
282	219	מה נמלצו לחכי	Moses Ashear For Hebrat Sha'are Sedeq which was the Synagogue on the Lower East Side. Written pre 1928. The tune is Turkish. Ashear Manuscript
283	219	מה נעמו	Moses Ashear Moshe Ezra Shrem. Ashear Manuscript	E. Menaged I Cabasso I Cabasso
284	220	מלך רם	Moses Ashear The pizmon “Melekh Ram” (NAHWAND, page 220), which translates as “Exalted King,” is a very popular song composed by H Moshe Ashear (acrostic: משה). It was composed in honor of the wedding of Mr. Joseph Ezra Tawil (alluded to in the third paragraph). Prominently mentioned in this song are Joseph’s three brothers: Abraham, Shaul, and Mordekhai Tawil; distinguished leaders of Congregation Magen David of Bensonhurst in the 1920’s. This individual, Joseph, ended up moving permanently to Mexico for business opportunities. In this song, we praise God for being the “Exalted King,” and we ask Him to send a savior and redeemer to his chosen nation. We also ask for God to raise our fortunes (with many happy occasions such as weddings) and return His children to their borders so that they can sing and praise Him for all eternity. The melody of this is from a “Chopin March." This melody is popularly applied to Shav’at Aniyim when praying in Maqam NAHWAND. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Shaul, Joseph and Abraham Tawil	I. Cabasso E. Menaged G. Shrem G. Shrem 2 G. Shrem	שועת עניים
285	220	אהלל ואביע	Moses Ashear "Ahallel Veabia" (NAHWAND, page 220), a pizmon associated with the festival of Shabuot, is composed by H Moshe Ashear (1877-1940). There are fifteen stanzas in this pizmon; all rhyming with one another. The acrostic of the pizmon is "Anokhi Hashem Elohekha, Lo Tahmod Asher Lere'ekha" (אנכי ה׳ אלהיך לא תחמד אשר לרעך); referring to the first and tenth commandments, respectively. The melody of this pizmon is called “Izmir Sefasi”; named after Izmir, Turkey. This pizmon is a poetic rendition of the narrative in Exodus 19 and 20; the narrative that discusses Israel's preparation, receiving, and acceptance of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The song concludes with a plea for God to listen to our prayers of returning the Jews to Zion so that they can live there in peace. The melody of this pizmon is traditionally applied to Halleluya (Psalm 150) on Shabuot, as well as on Shabbat Yitro and Shabbat Vaethanan. Ashear Manuscript	I. Cabasso- Halleluyah G. Shrem G. Shrem	הללויה
286	222	מלך אב רם	Moses Ashear In honor of the birth of Joseph Bijou. Written by M. Ashear. Arabic is "Ya Dounia Ya Gharami", by Abdel Wahab. Ashear Manuscript	J. Bijou G. Shrem: Haleluyah G. Shrem	הללויה
287	223	יעלוזו ביה	Moses Ashear Shabot. Ashear Manuscript	G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording R Barzani- Shaveat	ה' מלך
288	224	יה אל נורא	Moses Ashear Moshe Ezra Shrem. Ashear Manuscript	Arabic Maury Blanco	פזמון
289	225	מה עצמו	Moses Ashear Wedding of Selim and Nizha Gindi. Photograph is courtesy of David Catton, grandson. Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Selim and Nizha Gindi	E. Menaged G. Shrem I. Cabasso- El Hahodaot M Tawil (and next song) G. Shrem Recording	קדיש
290	225	מאמר ותחנון	Moses Ashear Wedding of Selim and Nizha Gindi. Photograph is courtesy of David Catton, grandson. Classic song in Maqam Nawa-athar. It is a DOR by the name Ya Qamar Dar El 'Oyoun and this version is sung by Laure Dackashe. (Lor Dakash) Ashear Manuscript Photograph of Selim and Nizha Gindi	Arabic- Lor Dakash E. Menaged Recording
291	226	יעטר יה	Moses Ashear Wedding of Sam and Renee Esses. Shabbat Vayesse. Photograph is courtesy of grandson Ike Esses in Phoenix. Names of family members scattered throughout this pizmon. Photograph of Sam and Renee Esses	I. Cabasso Recording I Cabasso
292	226	יהלל אל רם ונעלה	Moses Ashear Wedding of Seyah M Ashear. April 2, 1939. Leaflet
293	228	יה לו אעתיר	Moses Ashear Wedding of Shelomo Harra; April 14, 1935. Leaflet	G. Shrem G. Shrem G. Shrem Arabic Recording	קדיש
293.1	228a	הרחב אולמי	Haim S Aboud	Arabic Recording Moshe Mustachi
293.2	228b	אני אשיר לך		E. Nahum M Tawil M Tawil 2 Recording	נקדישך
293.3	228b	יפרח יה אבי		E. Nahum Fule Yanani Arabic I. Cabasso- Qaddish Recording Recording E Sayegh	קדיש
294	229	מרום יחיד בלי שני	Moses Ashear Wedding of Joseph Moshe Ashear. Nisan 1931. Leaflet
295	230	צהלה וגילה	Moses Ashear Wedding of Saad Shames; April 6, 1933. Leaflet
296	231	ירומם צורי	Moses Ashear Ashear composed this pizmon in honor of the birth of his grandson Moshe to his son Yosef. The initials at the beginning of each main stanza form the acrostic 'Yosef HaCohen Hazak'. June 8, 1935. Leaflet	I. Cabasso I Cabasso- Semehim I Cabasso- Semehim 2 Recording	קדיש
297	233	אלי אנוהו ארוממנהו	Moses Ashear Ezra Abraham Husney (Levy) Bar Misvah. April 9, 1940. Leaflet	E. Marcus - Abdel Wahab	ה' מלך
298	235	מן שמיא חיש פורקנך	Ezra Dweck Arabic is Ensa El Donia.	Arabic: Ensa El Donia
299	236	כל עוד בלבב פנימה	Naftali Imber Israel National Anthem.	G. Shrem G Shrem- HaTiqvah G. Shrem G. Shrem	נקדישך
299.001	237	אנא בחסדך		I. Cabasso Recording Eliahou Ozen- Semehim
299.01	237a	מלכי צורי אל כביר	Haim S Aboud	I. Cabasso- Naqdishakh G. Shrem G. Shrem Recording Recording R Barzani- Nishmat R Barzani- Keter
299.02	237b	החיש לצירך	Haim S Aboud	Yosef Hamaoui Recording R. Elnadav Isaac Cabasso- Qaddish R Elnadav
299.03	237c	שאו ציונה נס ודגל	Early Israeli melody.	Recording
299.04	237d	רוממו לו בקול	Raphael Yair Elnadav Composed for the Bar Misvah of Ezra Tawil to the melody of "Inta al-Hubb", a popular Arab song performed by Umm Kulthum.	Arabic Recording Agudat Dodim (Buenos Aires)- Mimisrayim
299.06	237f	הדור שומע	Raphael Yair Elnadav Jack D. Hidary Bar Misvah. Photograph of Jack David Hidary	J. Mosseri R. Elnadav
299.08	237h	חביבי אלי תמכת בי	Haim S Aboud	Recording Hebrew Recording Yaaqob Zeruq - Qaddish
299.09	237i	חביבי אל שוב למעונך	YMizrachi
299.1	237j	אל על שיר גיל נרון	Raphael Yair Elnadav Bar Misvah of Saul Ezra Ashkenazi. Composed by R Elnadav. 1984.	M Habusha Recording	קדיש
299.102	237t	על הרי על הרי	Raphael Yair Elnadav Bar Misvah of Harry E Tawil. 1996. Composed by R Elnadav. Maqam Nahwand-Kurd	M Habusha Recording	קדיש
299.12	237l	אשיר אני שיר בחיבה	Abraham Cohen Saban	Albert Cohen Saban
299.13	237m	ירנן פי בשיר ותפילה	YNahari
299.16	237n	אשירה בקול שמחה	Rahamim Abraham Haber Bar Misvah. August 4, 1980.	Recording Qaddish- Rabbi Medina
299.17	237p	מלוא עולם נורא שמו	Haber Bar Misvah. March 13, 1982.	Recording
299.18	237r	אפתח פי בשירה ובזמרה	Maqam Kourd David Abraham Haber Bar Misvah. October 7, 1993.
390.5	316a	הנה מה טוב	Abraham Cohen Saban Melody is "Sunrise Sunset".