Adon Olam

by Jonathan Cohen

Adon Olam (Master of the Universe) is a Hebrew hymn generally sung at the conclusion of the Sabbath morning synagogue service. Adon Olam tunes can be either rousing or pensive, but usually the former - sometimes extremely so.

The version we sing at Bel Canto, is a Raymond Goldstein adaption (for four male-voices) of a melody by Aaron de Sola, lay leader of the Spanish and Portuguese (Sephardi) Congregation of London. This suggests several avenues for investigation.