The sad events of the edict of expulsion of the Jews of Portugal in 1496 sent out waves that affected the whole world. Religious practices, language, dress, family names, and food were part of the cultural baggage that the exiles carried with them. The melodies used in synagogue worship were an important part of this heritage. We can still hear them today in the services of the Spanish and Portuguese synagogues in Montreal, New York, Amsterdam, Curaçao, London, and elsewhere.
The Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community of London was an especially strong refuge for this culture of exile. Two of the members of this community in the 19th century are worthy of note in the musical context. Rabbi David Aaron de Sola together with the composer and pianist Emmanuel Aguilar helped to preserve the melodies of 15th century Portugal in daily worship. Aguiar committed the musical notes to paper and published ‘The Ancient Melodies of the Liturgy of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ in 1857. Through digital technology, it is now freely available on-line.
Emanuel Abraham Aguilar
Emanuel Abraham Aguilar (1824-1904) was a successful pianist and composer in London and Frankfurt. He wrote symphonies, overtures, operas and trios. His friendship with Fredrick Chopin led him to play the premiere of one of Chopin’s concertos in Germany. He is best known today for his notation and arrangement of synagogue music from London.
The Mekor Haim Choir of the Jewish Community of Porto has had the privilege of learning the melodies and harmonises of Aguilar under the direction of their conductor Maestro Leonardo Mendonça. This allows us to repatriate these melodies to Portugal over 500 years after the Expulsion.
On Friday, October 23, 2027, at 14:30 in the Holocaust Museum of Porto, the Choir will present a concert entirely devoted to the works of Emanuel Aguilar. The program will include Col Berue, Az Yashir Moshe, Yom Zeh LeYisrael, Ana Bekoreinu, Hallel, Shochant Basade, and Adon Olam. These are melodies for prayers sung on Sabbath, the High Holidays and Festivals. All are welcome and admission is free. Prior registration is required at info@comunidade-judaica.porto.org .
