Traditional selections, Robin’s beautiful original songs, and a few contemporary pieces are seamlessly woven into the quintessential Chanukah collection

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“The music on American Chanukah is of the highest order…the album provides highlight after highlight. There is not a single weak track on this CD…the extensive notes provided allow the more curious listener to delve deeper into the music and its inspiration, but it works equally as well to the casual piano lover, who wants to be entertained for over fifty-three minutes by memorable, exquisite melodies. A fascinating, deeply personal CD, and one that without question is deserving of the Piano Heaven Gold award. Robin Spielberg has such a delicate touch with the piano, and she and it are as one. Brava, Ms. Spielberg!” -SC Piano Heaven UK

Song List:
1. Chanukah, Chanukah/I Have A Little Dreydel (traditional)
2. Sabbath Prayer (from Fiddler on the Roof/Harnick & Bock)
3. Jerusalem, Jerusalem (Naomi Shemer)
4. Rock of Ages/Ma’oz Tzur (traditional)
5. O Chaunkah, O Chanukah (traditional)
6. West Bank Serenade (Robin Spielberg)
7. Zum Gali Gali
8. Chanukah Prayer (traditional)
9. Hanerot Halalu (traditional)
10. First Night (Robin Spielberg)
11. One (U2)
12. Hatikvah/The Song of Hope (theme from “The Moldau”)
13. Ofi’n Pripitchik (M. Warshavsky)
14. Tumbalalaika (traditional)

From one of America’s premier contemporary pianists/composers comes a CD full of light and hope: “American Chanukah: Songs of Chanukah and Peace”. In this solo piano CD, you will find cherished melodies such as “Rock of Ages,” and a beautiful interpretation of the theme from “The Moldau” (used as Israel’s national anthem). There are Chanukah favorites like the “Dreydl Song” and “Chanukah Prayer”.

And then are the songs of peace: the U2 song “One” is delicately arranged and performed in a heartfelt longing for peace. “West Bank Serenade”, a brand new Robin Spielberg original, is sure to become a favorite. Composed during the suicide bombings of 2002, the music takes the listener on a journey that is at once moving, hopeful and triumphant.

All pieces arranged & performed by Robin Spielberg Produced by Robin Spielberg & Larry Kosson for playMountain Music.

Reviews

“Spielberg has extracted the core of these beautiful melodies and reinterpreted them with love, respect, and romance”

–New Age Voice

This CD features fourteen tracks of Jewish Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Israeli, Irish and American origin, capturing the feeling of Chanukah, a holiday that is rooted in the belief that when it is darkest, it is always possible to find light.This is solo piano in its entirety, and the pieces are very easy on the ear, being both accessible and highly melodic….Regardless of the listener’s faith, this CD is a highly enjoyable affair….

The music on the “American Chanukah” is of the highest order … Several years in the making, and aided by all manner of people, (including Robin Spielberg’s 99 year old Grandmother at the time of the project) the end result is a stunning CD filled with the most beautiful melodies imaginable. Extremely accessible, the album provides highlight after highlight. There is not a single weak track on this CD, and most certainly no fillers. The extensive notes provided allow the more curious listener to delve deeper into the music and its inspiration, but it works equally as well to the casual piano lover, who wants to be entertained for over fifty-three minutes by memorable, exquisite melodies. A fascinating, deeply personal CD, and one that without question is deserving of the Piano Heaven Gold award. Robin Spielberg has such a delicate touch with the piano, and she and it are as one. Bravo, Ms. Spielberg!

– Stephen Cairns, Piano Heaven (United Kingdom) Read the full review.

American Chanukah is Robin Spielberg’s 12th album. The classically trained New Yorker has won accolades for her original compositions and renditions of standards. She has played Carnegie Hall three times, done Christmas specials and breast cancer awareness benefits.

Her latest album contains all the traditional Chanukah songs such as Maoz Tzur and Oh Chanukah played in her powerful solo piano style. It also has other Jewish standards such as Jerusalem of Gold and Hatikvah.

The two original compositions on the album are First Night, which was inspired by the Chanukah holiday and the stirring West Bank (YESHA) Serenade, which is dedicated to Israeli terrorist victims. Also featured is U2’s award winning song One.

Rather then straight forward renditions of familiar songs, Spielberg turns them into classical sounding pieces with a soothing new age feel, similar in style to pianist Liz Story. The relaxing, peaceful sound also comes from Spielberg’s interest in music therapy, which helped her own prematurely born daughter.

-Cleveland Jewish Radio

Several years in the planning stages, Robin Spielberg’s collection of Chanukah songs arranged for solo piano is a masterpiece. One of the most elegant and graceful pianists around, Spielberg keeps the arrangements of the traditional pieces simple, letting the melodies sing their messages of hope and peace. With the help of her ninety-nine-year-old grandmother, Jennie Spielberg, Robin researched and arranged songs of Yiddish, Sephardic, Israeli, Ashkenazi , European, and American origin for inclusion in this collection. I’m not Jewish, but love the warmth and beauty of these pieces. Many are rather haunting, but a sense of light and hope prevails throughout. Also included are Spielberg’s original West Bank Serenade, a stunning new piece composed during the weeks of the first suicide bombing attacks in the West Bank, and a fresh new version of First Night which first appeared on In the Heart of Winter several years ago. Along with the other traditional Chanukah songs are Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof’, One by U2, and the Israeli national anthem which comes from a theme by Smetna. All of the pieces are lovingly arranged and played, and are obviously very close to Spielberg’s heart. With the world situation as difficult as it is right now, this album takes on a very special importance and meaning. Very highly recommended!

– Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications