Amazing, Wonderful, Beautiful!
Not only is this historically significant,the music is really soulful & moving. I consider this one of my best musical discoveries in 2010. Highly recommended!
Steven Goodheart
A first-rate reconstruction of ancient Greek Music
Mr. Levy, an amateur and self-taught lyrist, set about with the task of re-constructing and essentially re-creating the lyre music of ancient Greece, in a style that may be similar to what the ancients were to enjoy. The compositions on the album were composed in the Hypophrygian mode. In my opinion, he seems to have captured some of the essence of this almost forgotten art-form. The high-light of the album is the opening song, which is also the album's name-sake. It has a wonderfully soothing flow to it, which you can here in the mp3 sample provided by Amazon. This album also re-creates some of the ancient Hebrew kinnor compositions from the biblical era. My own personal interests are in the Greek kithara, but I can appreciate and enjoy his performance with the Hebrew lyre, as well as comment that it was artfully done.
This is an album for listeners that have more eclectic tastes, but it is definitely a wonderful addition to add to any music collection. Mr. Levy has done a wonderful service by helping to resurrect this ancient art-form, which has a-lot of history attached to it.
Enjoy!
Another Wonderful Album of Lyre Music
Composed in various ancient Greek music modes, Mr. Levy performs another fantastic set of his own original lyre music, inspired by the music of antiquity. This is very relaxing music and beautiful to listen to. It's also nice to know that such an ancient art-form is still being practiced and is appreciated by people today. This type of music really needs much more public support.
My only complaint is that the album is a bit short, running at just under 19 minutes. Understand, though, that producing an album takes a lot of time and money, especially when it's an album that will knowingly not receive a huge amount of support. It's a labour of love.
I completely recommend this album and one can hope that Apollo concurs :)
Pure Music...This is music in it`s purest form. The notes coming from the Lyre weave a complex net of relations, which you can perceive as sort of abstract geometric art in your mind. As there are no other instruments involved, each single tone is more significant by itself. Thus this flow of non disrupted tones can free your mind from useless things and make you see clearer. Wassily Kandinksy maybe would rejoice in listening to this music, as it is an example for what he wrote about "the spiritual in art". Also other names like Pythagoras and Kepler come to mind listening to the music. But besides all this, you can just listen to it and relax, letting your mind roam through a forest, a desert, space and time.
This album is a very interesting find, for it presents ancient and traditional melodies played with a lyre, so these notes will likely be not only quite new, but also a fascinating surprise. Some pieces sound very meditative, while others are more popular, but in every piece the exotic sound of the lyre will give you a new soundtrack to which to summon pictures of a world that was always just visualized, and never heard. It will surely have you listen to it many times.
It is a touching ceramonial piece. My daughter, who is studying Ancient Mesopotamia, adores it...
Shalom Tov!
author: M. Starr
This music is exquisite - "Lyre of the Levites" is even better than Michael's first CD, "King David' Lyre" which is unequalled in its production, song selection and heart. You'll love this peaceful selection. Please sir, may we have more?
Absolutely a joy to listen to. Michael Levy has resurrected an ancient music form that brings such joy to the spirit and warmth to the heart. Levy is a scholar, historian, and a fabulous artist.
This music is awesome - better than anything I've ever heard for chilling out, meditation and reflection - it's mystical tone and cadence, the rise and fall of rhythms, transports you back in time. . .if you're looking for music with an ancient quality full of rich perfume and candlelight, you'll love this CD. HarpRuby
Micheal Levy is a genius and his music , be careful, is a magic spell...
This is a mystical, ancient sounding constellation of lyre music that is both deeply spiritual and organic. Michael Levy has mastered his craft & lovingly shared his gift on this first CD - I can't wait to experience the next one! Brilliant. Deeply touching. Organic. Spiritual.
These songs uplift and satisfy the listener with a simple and organic presentation from a skilled & intuitive musician - the music touching the ear lightly but impacting the soul in a deeply moving way. Meditation and contemplation while listening to this CD has outstanding results; the melodies directly connect a person with the ancient, burning light that illuminated the souls of our Fathers. Brilliant. I can't wait for the next CD! HarpRuby
Listening to the beautiful sounds of the Lyre I was inspired to make a new drawing. My wife was sitting with me, and we both enjoyed the meditative, calming tunes. The Lyre has a very unique, really deep beautiful sound. I am happy to have music from such an old tradition now and can listen to it.
Before seeing Michael Levy's first kinnor video on YouTube, I had never heard of the kinnor. My first impression was that, while intriguing, with only 10 strings it would be a pretty limited instrument. With each successive video, Mr. Levy proved me wrong. With this CD, he has taken this little lyre from the realm of simple melodies and accompaniment to an impressive solo instrument, capable of a rich variety of musical sounds and textures. The album consists of 22 tracks that feature melodies from ancient Israel, songs from the Klezmer tradition, and original music that takes you back to the time of Moses and Jewish captivity in Egypt. The selections range from melancholy and meditative, to joyful and celebratory. Michael has done a great deal of study and research not only into the technique of playing the kinnor, but also into the origins of the instrument, the musical scales and traditions of the music and the history behind it. All of this shines through brilliantly in his playing and his liner notes. I don't know of anyone else that has gone as far as Michael Levy in the resurrection of this humble, and at the same time wonderful, instrument. If you have an interest in ancient music, Jewish music, biblical instruments, or just enjoy meditative, interesting and thoughtful music, “King David's Lyre: Echos of Ancient Israel” is a worthy addition to your collection
We are fortunate that there is someone like Michael Levy to spend so much time and energy to bring to life this wonderful music, and who has the talent and intellect to do so. Thank you Mr. Levy.
"Self-taught musician Michael Levy is reviving the mystical sound of the ancient Jewish Temple lyre - a stringed musical instrument. Mr Levy, 40, has spent the past three years teaching himself to play the lyre after he bought a replica of the 10-string Kinnor - once played by the Levite musicians in the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE. He began broadcasting his music on YouTube and received requests from more than 1,000 subscribers to compile an album. And he has recently released exactly that: King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel - a combination of Klezmer arrangements, traditional Jewish and Shabbat Songs. Tracks include The Music of Moses, Shalom Chavarim and Ose Shalom. "It has enabled me to get in touch with my ancient Levi routes," Manchester-based Mr Levy tells People. "The lyre is such a simple instrument. There are only ten strings but you can get such sounds out of it. When you play it, you feel like you are being transformed to another realm." He adds: "The Kinnor was the actual harp of King David, and also of my very own, very ancient Levite ancestors, who once played their Kinnors to accompany the legendary singing of the Levitical Choir, in the Temple of Jerusalem." Mr Levy, also a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, intends to release the CD both in the UK and America."
Here is a link to another article about my music & albums, as featured on page 2 of the "LJ Today" magazine: LJ Today
Below is a link to this rather entertaining article, all about my music, my albums..& my somewhat more dubious "life experiences" to date!!!