Michael Levy: Album Reviews/Press

This music has the power to heal the inner man and put your soul at rest. Music is the language of the soul and I can see that these peaceful harp melodies are inspired by the Holy Angels of God...I feel that King David himself is playing to me, just as he did when he played them to Saul.

"...when David would take the harp and play it with his hand, and Saul would be refreshed and be well and the evil would depart from him (I Samuel 16:23 NAU)

Amazing mysteries in this beautiful music. I recommend this album for anyone who desires more of god in their lives.

Michael Levy is truly an original -- although the music he plays is largley forgotten. He takes the oldest music in the world and plays them on the lyre -- the way it is meant to be played -- resuscitating the music back to life. There is something ancient, primal, & primordial to the music he creates.

Michael is real passionate musician, and his music is one of my greatest personal discoveries I found last year

Micheal Levy is a genius and his music , be careful, is a magic spell...

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

A Modern Instrument in an Ancient Form

I have had the privilege - and I count it exactly that - of helping Michael Levy in his efforts to apply himself to the ten-stringed lyre (kinnor). Being more specialized on the academic side, I know just how hazardous it is to say that Michael's efforts tell us what King David's lyre really sounded like. The miracle is that Michael is able to get as close to ancient practice (as documented by archaeology, Hebrew Scripture and various treatises) as he does, given the limitations of the instrument he uses. It mics extremely well, but it is a very poor acoustic instrument (I know, I used to own one of them), it uses modern nylon strings, and it has a higher string tension than most ancient instruments. All this changes the tone (as do other things such as modern glues and woodworking techniques). Michael's lyre is an ancient instrument in a modern form and should be approached as such.

That said, beginning with this album Michael concentrates on applying everything he learns about ancient lyre playing and tuning, using his long experience as a klezmer musician to adapt traditional and original tunes to the limitations of the lyre. And happily; he only gets better and better as he goes.

The one real concession to modernity that Michael makes (besides the instrument itself) is the equal temperament of his scales. If he ever learns how to apply ancient tunings, particularly just tuning (and he tells me his ears aren't fine enough to do so thus far), he will add purity to intensity in his performances.

 

Shalom Tov!

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.

Time Travelling in the 21st Century...

Step into the Tardis, or Mr. Peabody's wayback machine and travel to ancient Rome. Visit the balmy courts where slaves attend Kings and Queens with fans, food and finery, while the court musician plays in a quiet corner for their quiet contemplation. These ancient-inspired tunes will take you there, with just a pinch of your imagination to fuel your time machine, Michael Levy will be your tour guide to help you relive the past in glorious splendor. 

"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!!!

Jewish Telegraph