Zemirot Yisrael, Chants Religieux des Israëlites, Contenant la Liturgie complète de la Synagogue des temps les plus reculés jusqu'à nos jours [Religious songs of the Israelites, containing the complete synagogue liturgy from antiquity until our times], Part I, with Shabbat prayers, by Samuel Naumbourg. Paris: published by the author, [1847]. First edition.
Volume comprised of two parts. The first part of the volume is composed of Part I of Zemirot Yisrael (printed lithographically; lacking leaves in several places), with musical notation for the Shabbat prayers, according to the order of synagogue prayer.
The second part of the volume comprises many handwritten leaves (approx. 50 leaves), with additional musical notation for prayers for Shabbat, festivals and various occasions. These leaves include tunes composed by the editor of the book, Samuel Naumbourg, and many tunes by other composers (F. Hellmann, Sulzer, Lovy, Halevy and others). Some of the tunes are composed for multiple vocalists or for a choir. The name of the composer is indicated at the beginning of each tune.
The words of the songs, written along with the tunes, appear both in the printed and handwritten sections of the volume, in Hebrew transliterated into French. The song titles are printed in Hebrew.
On p. 177, tune for a wedding, for multiple vocalists.
At the beginning of the volume is printed a lengthy introduction in French by the editor, regarding the history of Jewish music.
On the last leaf appears a (partial) handwritten index to the tunes appearing in both parts.
Samuel Naumbourg (1817-1880) was a French-Jewish composer, cantor and musicologist, a native of Dennenlohe (Bavaria). Born to a long line of cantors, Naumbourg was given a musical education from a young age. He studied in Munich, where he joined a synagogal choir. He later served as a cantor in Besançon, and directed a choir in the Strasbourg synagogue. In 1845 he was invited to serve as cantor of Synagogue Nazareth in Paris. He later studied Jewish liturgy in depth, publishing several studies of Jewish music and anthologies of Jewish tunes, chief among them being the present work (which was printed in several editions over the years).
First part of volume, printed: [3], iv, [1] leaves, 70, 77-110 pages. Lacking leaf with portrait of author, originally appearing after title page. Lacking pp. 71-76, and two leaves at end (pp. 111-112, [1]). Between pp. 70 and 77 is bound [1] leaf, handwritten. Second part of volume, handwritten: 111-141, [5], 143-164, 167-168, 171-173, [2], 174-218, [2] pages (mispagination). Lacking pp. 169-170. Several leaves and pages blank. 30.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains; many stains and dark stains to some leaves. Wear. Many tears and open tears (large open tears in several places), affecting text in many places, partially repaired with paper. On several leaves, rubbing from separating of joined leaves, affecting text. New leather binding.
