Seattle 96, or Excerpt from the Seattle Jewish Chorale Concert Program

Notes on "Durme Durme"
By Dane Kuttler

As a Jewish choir, we pride ourselves on learning music in four different Jewish languages: Hebrew, English, Yiddish and Ladino. Of the four, Ladino, a synthesis of Spanish and Hebrew, has the fewest speakers. Why? In 1492, all Jews were expelled from Spain. Those who stayed were forced to publicly convert to Catholicism. It makes sense, then, that some of the language survived in lullabies - songs that are sung at night, quietly, away from the suspicions of the street.

Towards the middle of Durme Durme, the sopranos sing a slightly dissonant harmony, creating tension with the steady, rocking melody. I can only imagine that this musical choice is a reference to the suffering of the Jews who stayed in Spain, the marranos and conversos who hid their Judaism in dark, quiet places. To this day, there are families that light candles in their basements on Friday nights without knowing why - it's just tradition, passed down by families too afraid to reveal their true identities to their children.

When you listen to Durme Durme, imagine the desperation of a people hiding in plain sight, trying to preserve a culture for which they could be killed. Imagine the mother rocking her child to sleep, praying he remembers the words, but not well enough to repeat them. Imagine the strength this kind of resistance requires. And ask yourself: who today sings forbidden songs in the dark and quiet?