Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah Chicago a cappella

• Traditional:
• 1Traditional: Oh Chanukah/Y'Mei Hachanukah03:23
• Traditional:
• 2Traditional: S’vivon01:22
• Traditional:
• 3Traditional: O, ir kleyne likhtelekh03:54
• Gerald Cohen (b. 1963):
• 4Cohen: Chanukah Lights02:50
• Robert Applebaum (b. 1941):
• 5Applebaum: Haneirot Halalu04:41
• Traditional:
• 6Traditional: Al HaNisim01:47
• Traditional:
• 7Traditional: Al Hanisim04:02
• Joshua Fishbein (b. 1984):
• 8Fishbein: Al Hanisim (For the Miracles)04:42
• Daniel Tunkel (b. 1962):
• 9Tunkel: I. Hal’luyah! (Psalm 113)01:28
• 10Tunkel: II. B’tzeit Yisrael (Psalm 114)01:53
• 11Tunkel: III. Adonai Z’charanu (Psalm 115, vv. 12-18)02:26
• 12Tunkel: VI. Hodu (Psalm 118, vv. 1-4)01:30
• Traditional:
• 13Traditional: Maoz Tzur05:25
• Elliot Z. Levine (b. 1963):
• 14Levine: Lo V’Chayil03:04
• Vladimir Heyfetz (1893 - 1970):
• 15Heyfetz: Fayer, fayer01:00
• Samuel E. Goldfarb (1891 - 1978):
• 16Goldfarb: Funky Dreidl (I Had a Little Dreidl)03:38
• Mikhl Gelbart (1899 - 1966):
• 17Gelbart: I am a Little Dreydl (Ikh bin a kleyner Dreydl)01:25
• Jonathan M. Miller (b.1971):
• 18Miller: Biy’mey Mattityahu04:21
• Chaim Parchi (1947):
• 19Parchi: Aleih Neiri03:59
• Stacy Garrop (b. 1969):
• 20Garrop: Lo Yisa Goy05:04
• Total Runtime01:01:54

Info for Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah

Chicago a cappella, the innovative vocal ensemble praised for its “clarity, well-balanced tone, and deep emotional involvement” (Washington Post), presents Miracle of Miracles — Music for Hanukkah, a new recording aimed at unveiling the richer meaning of the Festival of Lights, with music that ranges from heartfelt prayers to jazzy and playful holiday favorites, showcasing the creativity and vitality of American Jewish musical traditions.

The album features a collection of songs from more than 25 years of Chicago a cappella performances, arranged into a single program that replays the story of Hanukkah, from celebrations of the holiday itself through to its candles, miracles, religious observances, and traditional food and games.

Collectively in search of Hanukkah songs from different Jewish traditions and communities, seven living composers/arrangers/musicians including Robert Applebaum, Gerald Cohen, Joshua Fishbein, Elliot Z. Levine, Jonathan Miller, Daniel Tunkel, and Mark Zuckerman bring fresh perspectives to songs celebrating the miracle of light.

Rich with liturgical and folk melodies, Miracle of Miracles — Music for Hanukkah demonstrates a keen sensitivity to both biblical and modern Hebrew, as well as Yiddish elements (and English) intertwined with American jazz and popular styles. The vocal network represented on this album fully encompasses the traditions of Hanukkah across the Diaspora and Jewish history.

Works include Robert Applebaum’s stirring version of “Haneirot Halalu” and movements from the majestic “Hallel Cantata” by London-based Daniel Tunkel. Other familiar tunes include arrangements of “I am a Little Dreydl” both in its traditional Yiddish form, as arranged by Zuckerman, and in a neo-funk Hebrew/English setting titled “Funky Dreidl” arranged by Applebaum; a swing version of “S’vivon” by Steve Barnett; and a lively setting of the traditional melody for “Al HaNisim” (“For the Miracles”) by Levine.

Chicago a cappella, under the direction of John William Trotter, is an ensemble of ten singers that performs a wide-ranging repertoire of musical styles and genres from the ninth to the 21st centuries. Founded in 1993, the group features a roster of the Chicago area’s most accomplished classically trained choral singers and soloists, whose flexible vocal skills and musical adventurousness bring a special joy to their performances.

Miracle of Miracles joins Chicago a cappella’s two previous Cedille releases, Shall I Compare Thee: Choral Songs on Shakespeare Texts and Christmas a cappella. Produced by the Grammy-winning team of producer James Ginsburg and engineer Bill Maylone, Miracle of Miracles was recorded January 13 and 16–18, 2023, at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago.

Chicago a cappella
John William Trotter, director

Chicago a cappella
Ten singers with amazing voices, magnetic personalities, and true love for ensemble singing, bringing creative concert experiences that make connections and inspire both awe and laughter.

Since the birth of the ensemble back in the early 90s, we have traveled the country, worked with amazing guest artists, won awards for our CDs, and made thousands of friends in the process.

But there’s more. Chicago a cappella isn’t just an ensemble. It’s an entire organization dedicated to furthering the art and appreciation of ensemble singing. The Youth Choral Festival brings together high school kids from all over Chicago and the suburbs. ¡Cantaré! Chicago brings an artist from Mexico to be composer-in-residence in Chicago schools. HerVoice mentors and promotes emerging women composers in the art of a cappella choral music.

John William Trotter
became Chicago a cappella’s second Artistic Director in 2020, having previously served the ensemble as Principal Music Director and Guest Music Director starting in 2013. An acclaimed choral leader, he interacts with musicians and audiences to celebrate the gift of music and its powerful place in human identity.

He has conducted more than a dozen professional choirs and orchestras on three continents, and studies and teaches widely in the areas of music, leadership, and the role of the arts in society. Trotter serves as Associate Professor at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, and is widely active as a guest conductor, composer/arranger, educator, and speaker. His performances of concert music have attracted special attention for their freshness and authenticity. Performances with Chicago a cappella (described by the Chicago Tribune as “The city’s liveliest, most versatile vocal ensemble”), and the Vancouver Chamber Choir (where his Vivaldi Magnificat was hailed by the Vancouver Sun as “a radiant performance of this work that overstated nothing and brought out all of its freshness and charm.”) have been broadcast throughout North America on APM and CBC.

Trotter’s various ensembles have been honored with invitations to perform live at national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors’ Association, Chorus America, and the National Association for Music Education. In 2017, Trotter led the Wheaton College Concert Choir on tour throughout South Korea, conducting twenty performances including several broadcasts. Over the past several years, the ensemble has become recognized for their innovative approach to masterworks, such as their semi-staged production of Handel’s Messiah, exploration of interdisciplinary collaborations with dancers, painters, and actors, and direct engagement with audiences in concert halls, homeless shelters, and with hundreds of inmates at a state prison. In 2018, Trotter received the Leland Ryken Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities.

Prior to his work with Chicago a cappella, Trotter earned the Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Michigan and undertook further advanced studies with Eric Ericson, Helmuth Rilling, Andrew Parrott, and Jon Washburn. He now trains young conductors and serves as a resource to mid-careers professionals through conference presentations and intensive workshops. His conducting students have distinguished themselves by taking up significant positions, gaining entrance to the top-ranked graduate programs in North America, and earning national recognition at the ACDA Student Conducting Competition.

Trotter is well known for his ability to connect with audiences and for his interest in building bridges between the professional music world, music training institutions, and the wider community. An experienced improviser, he is an advocate for the recovery of this musical skill among amateurs and professionals alike. His activities now range from choral/orchestral masterworks, jazz, new music, and film score recording to work as a consultant, clinician, adjudicator, conducting teacher, composer/arranger, writer, speaker, and leader of improvisation workshops.

During the 2019-20 season, Dr. Trotter served as a Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge (UK) and also served as a visiting teacher at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden and worked with ensembles and observed leading conductors and ensembles in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France.

This album contains no booklet.