Muzyka chasydów lelowskich
Music of Lelów’s Chassidim

Summary/Abstract: According to Hasidic thought, music and dance were a form of relationship with God, full of enthusiasm and joy. Nigguny (Hasidic melodies) allowed to externalize deep emotions better than words of a fervent prayer.The main performer of niggun is the community, but one Hasid sings during particular prayers. Dancing nigguns are characterized by expressive rhythmic, melodies out of the dance context, especially sung solo, often are slower, and have a reflexive character.The Nigguns danced and sung by Chassidim, arriving every year (mainly from Israel) to Lelów on the anniversary of the death of Bidermana David (1746-1814), the founder of the community, belong mainly to the group of joyful or dance nigguns, which are in the general Hasidic repertoire. In a Hasidic community only men dance, usually forming a circle in which they move one after the other, keeping one hand on the shoulder of the preceding dancer, and waving freely the second hand. Often repetitive elements of the Hasidic dance, also from Lelów, are the “noodling” moves of the body and the steps back and forth towards the center of the circle.

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