Not sure yet if this is going be a definate, but it would definately be a cooool opportunity for my first ever "proper" International live Lyre Gig!! 

WATCH THIS SPACE...

When I first created this website in April 2009, I had but 4 albums of ancient lyre music - now at the end of 2011, I have 13...and there is now no longer enough room on the website to provide all the detailed album notes I wanted my listeners to have access to!

Therefore, I have just come up with an elegant solution - there is now a download link at the bottom of each brief description of my 13 albums in the "Albums" section of ancientlyre.com, which at a simple click, enables visitors to the website to download Word Documents of each & every detailed album description...which can be stored on their own PC, and shared as email attachments to other potential "Time Travellers" out there!! 

"King David's Harp" is a showcase album, featuring my new hand-crafted "Davidic Harp", made by Marini Made Harps. This wonderful instrument is their evocation of the 10-string Biblical "Kinnor" - the "Harp" of King David. Despite the beautiful harp-like tone of the Marini Made Davidic Harp, it is, in fact, a lyre (ie unlike a true harp, the strings pass over a bridge).

All the "Harps" of the ancient Hebrews, were in fact lyres - in the Bible, the word original Hebrew word "Kinnor" has often been mistranslated as "Harp" - full details in the Historical Research  section of my website.

 "King David's Harp" is mostly a compilation album of 10 of my favourite tracks previously recorded in my albums "King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel", "Lyre of the Levites" & "The Ancient Biblical Lyre", but with a whole new vista of serene, harp-like tonal colour...

In this album, (as well as my album "The Ancient Egyptian Harp"), I have also finally attempted to abandon modern equal temperament, and instead of using a digital tuner, I tuned my lyre the way the ancients did - cyclically in perfect 5ths & 4ths in a more authentic effort to achieve just intonation. For full details on how the lyres of the ancient world were tuned, please see the "Blogs" section of my website, where I have written a Blog entitled:  

"How To Tunes a Replica 3000 Year Old Lyre?"

THE REPERTOIRE

The melodies for this album are adapted from either the sacred Jewish repertoire, or melodies which form part of the rich tapestry of the instrumental Jewish Klezmer music repertoire. However, thanks to the incredible work of the late Suzanne Haik Vantoura, who dedicated her life to deciphering the original music of the Hebrew Bible, the actual musical modes/scales  used in these melodies can be traced back some 3000 years, to ancient Biblical times...

There are 10 tracks, corresponding to the 10 strings of the Biblical Kinnor of King David...

THE 10 TRACKS

1. Hava Nagila (Let Us Rejoice!):
My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp of
the most famous of all Jewish songs of Praise & Joy.

2. Hatikavah (The Hope):
This is my arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical
Davidic Harp,of "Hatikvah" (The Hope) -
the National Anthem of Israel...

3. Lyre of the Levites:
This is my arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Harp of
King David, of a melody from the traditional Jewish instrumental
Klezmer repertoire, "Unzer Toyrele".

4. Jerusalem of Gold:
My arrangement for a reconstruction of the Biblical Harp of King David,
of Naomi Shemer's haunting song, "Jerusalem of Gold" - which has since
become known as Israel's "Second National Anthem"...

5 . The Tablets of Moses:
My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Harp
of King David, of an exhilarating melody from the traditional
Jewish Klezmer instrumental repertoire, "Noch Havdallah"

6. Hine Ma Tov (How Beautiful):
My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp,
of a traditional Jewish folk song, "Hine Ma Tov" ("How Beautiful")

7. Holy of Holies:

My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp,
of a traditional Jewish sacred melody.

According to the research of the late Suzanne Haik Vantoura, the
musical modes/scales heard in Jewish music today,
can be traced back in time almost 3000 years, to the Biblical times of King David...

8. Psalm 114 (Ancient Traditional Melody, c.2nd Century CE):
 My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp, of an ancient melody traditionally sang by both early Christians & Jews,
to Psalm 114, "When Israel Was Set Forth From Egypt".

9. Tabernacle of the Ark:
My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp,
of a melody from the traditional Jewish instrumental Klezmer repertoire, "Berdichiever Khosid".

Acording to the research of the late Suzanne Haik Vantoura,
the musical modes/scales heard in Jewish music today, can be traced
back in time almost 3000 years, to the Biblical times of King David...

10. Eternal Peace:
My arrangement for an evocation of the Biblical Davidic Harp, of a beautiful Jewish Sabbath melody, "Ose Shalom" (The One Who Brings Peace)...

As well as iTunes, the physical CD of "King David's Harp", complete with detailed insert notes, can be ordered from Reverbnation.

Michael Levy has given us a musical treat. Of the 12 items on the album, 6 are reconstructions of what ancient Greek music played on the lyre might be like, and the other 6 are his original compositions for the instrument. General listeners might find the latter more accessible, as they are influenced by modern musical tastes, but if you have an interest in historical pieces the other six are well worth listening to. Mr. Levy, though not a formally trained musician, is passionate about the instrument and the music that went with it. His website, ancientlyre.com, has ample evidence of his scholarship. If you listen to the samples, you'll find that his mastery of the instrument is clear and his musical sensitivity and talent are also evident. In terms of his technique as well as sense of melody and rhythm, the pieces are intriguing. I hope you find them as enjoyable as I have"

Chiron - Amazon (USA) Review 

This was my favorite performance from Michael Levy thus far. Not only is the performance immaculate, but the recording quality is pristine. I love the space that you feel while listenting to this album. I like the way he experimented with creating a fret by using the pick, just like you create a fret on the birimbau with a stone you create an infinite number of tones on a fixed tone instrument. My only complaint is it is a short album, and I wanted  more"

DJG Mike - Amazon (USA) Review of "The Ancient Egyptian Harp"

This was one of the first albums I purchased from Michael Levy. This is beautiful and simple music. It makes me feel good immediately, and I hope you feel the same. Recommended...YES!"

DJG Mike - iTunes (Canada) Review of "The Ancient Greek Modes" 

DJG Mike - iTunes (Canada) Review of "Ancient Landscapes"

Von Idris Rahai - iTunes (Germany) Review of "The Ancient Greek Modes" 

I am pleased to announce the release of my NEW ALBUM, "King David's Harp" in December 2011!

Here is a sneak preview of the album cover... 

"King David's Harp" will be showcase album, featuring my new hand-crafted "Davidic Harp", made by Marini Made Harps - their evocation of the 10-string Biblical "Kinnor" - the "Harp" of King David. Despite the beautiful harp-like tone of the Marini Made Davidic Harp, it is, in fact, a lyre (ie unlike a true harp, the strings pass over a bridge).

All the "Harps" of the ancient Hebrews, were in fact lyres - in the Bible, the word original Hebrew word "Kinnor" has often been mistranslated as "Harp" - full details in the Historical Research  section of this website...

 "King David's Harp", will in short, be a mostly a compilation album of 10 of my favourite tracks previously recorded in my albums "King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel", "Lyre of the Levites" & "The Ancient Biblical Lyre", but with a whole new vista of serene, harp-like tonal colour.

In this album, I have also finally attempted to abandon modern equal temperament, and instead of using a digital tuner, I tuned my lyre the way the ancients did - cyclically in perfect 5ths & 4ths in a more authentic effort to achieve just intonation...

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON!!!