Music for Chanukah

Here are some recommended octavos:

Adler, Samuel. Praise Thy Saving Power (TTBB). Ludwig Music L-5220.

Adler, Samuel. The Flames of Freedom (SSA). Ludwig Music L-8111.

Barnett, Steve. Arise and Be Free (SATB). Transcontinental (four separate octavos — 1. Sevivon, 2. Yemey Chanukah, 3. Mi Yemalel, 4. Mi Zeh Hidlik).

Bruch, Max. Hebrew Songs (SATB, orchestra). Kalmus.

Frimer, Dov (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Al HaNissim, (SATB, piano). Transcontinental.

Fromm, Herbert. Hanukah Madrigal (SATB, soprano solo). Transcontinental.

Gelbart, Michael (arranged by M. Lazar). I Have a Little Dreydel (SATB, piano, drums, tenor solo). Transcontinental.

Golub, Solomon (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Boruch Atoh (SATB, piano). Transcontinental Publications.

Isaacson, Michael. Light the Legend (SATB, piano). Transcontinental.

Jacobson, Joshua. Chanukah Variations. (SATB, optional piano). Transcontinental. A set of humorous variations on a traditional children’s song for Chanukah.

Jacobson, Joshua. Mi Zeh Yemallel (SATB div, baritone solo, tambourine and clay drum). Transcontinental. Based on a traditional Moroccan Jewish melody.

Jagoda, Flory (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Ocho Kandelikas (SATB or SA, guitar or piano, percussion). Transcontinental Music Publications. A Hanukah song from Sarajevo in the Ladino language.

Lehrer, Tom (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Hanukah in Santa Monica. (SATB with piano and optional clarinet and drum kit). Transcontinental Music Publications. A song featuring Tom Lehrer’s wonderful satiric humor.

Lewandowski, Louis. Haneyros Halawlu (SATB or SA, optional organ). Transcontinental.

Parchi, Chaim (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Aley Neyri.  (SATB, baritone solo). Transcontinental.                           

Parchi, Chaim. Shemen Zach (SATB). Transcontinental Publications.

Polansky, David. Hannukah Tarantella.  (SATB or SA) Transcontinental Music Publications. A humorous song based on words that rhyme with “Chanukah.”

Schwartz, Stephen (rar. Ryan Nowlin) We Are Lights (SATB) Hal Leonard.

Traditional Ashkenaic Hymn (arranged by A. Binder). Maoz Tsur (SATB) Transcontinental.

Traditional Eastern European Melody (arranged by Joshua Jacobson).Candle Blessings for Chanukah (SATB). Transcontinental Music Publications

Traditional Italian Chant. Maoz Tsur (unison). Transcontinental. Based on a traditional Italian Jewish melody notated in an Ashkenazic synagogue in Venice by Benedetto Marcello, circa 1724.

Traditional Italian Chant (arranged by Joshua Jacobson). Maoz Tsur (unison, soprano recorder, hand drum). Based on a traditional Italian Jewish melody notated in an Ashkenazic synagogue in Venice by Benedetto Marcello, circa 1724.    

Weisgall, Hugo. Fortress, Rock (SATB). Merion (T. Presser). Based on a traditional Italian Jewish melody notated in an Ashkenazic synagogue in Venice by Benedetto Marcello, circa 1724.

There is also the oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus by George F. Handel for SATB choir, SATB soloists and orchestra. One can also perform excerpts with just piano, such as “See the Conquering Hero” for SA soloists, SSA choir and then SATB choir; or “Hallelujah, Amen” for SATB choir.

See the also article: Jacobson, Joshua. "Choral Music for Chanukah," The Choral Journal, September, 1990.