Shoshana Michel - Soul Whispers (2015)

"Soul Whispers" is the debut recording by pianist Shoshana Michel. She has arranged and performed a beautiful collection of twelve soothing Jewish melodies (public domain) for solo piano. These songs are also known as Chabad Nigunim. Elegantly and soulfully performed, the music is relaxing and spiritually uplifting whether or not you are of the Jewish faith or culture. Shoshana Michel has been playing the piano since she was a child and this music is obviously very dear to her heart. Jewish music tends to be in minor keys with a melancholy feeling to them - distinctive and very emotionally stirring. Shoshana Michel’s arrangements are full and rich, but they are not overly embellished or flashy, allowing the haunting melodies to stand on their own and speak their messages without a lot of fanfare. Her arrangements have a contemporary sound while honoring the deep and ancient traditions of the music. It is requested in the liner notes that this music not be played on Shabbat or Yom Tov (Jewish holidays with similar obligations and restrictions to Shabbat in the sense that normal "work" is forbidden). I’m not sure if that is because of the nature of the music or if listening to music is restricted during those times. All of the titles are Jewish and trying to find translations has been unsuccessful, giving non-Jewish listeners the option to interpret the music in whatever way it speaks to them. If you enjoy lovely spiritual solo piano music, I’m quite sure you’ll thoroughly love "Soul Whispers."