Poems and Prayers
Poems and Prayers is Mohammed Fairouz's third symphony. It sets texts in Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew for choir, solo voices and orchestra and explores the Arab-Israeli Conflict.[1] The symphony was commissioned by the Middle East Center for Peace, Culture and Development at Northeastern University.[2] It was completed in 2010.[2]
Instrumentation[edit]
The symphony is scored orchestra, a mixed choir and two soloists (mezzo-soprano and baritone).[2]
- Brass
- 4 French Horns in F
- 2 Trumpets
- 3 Trombones
- Strings
- Harp
- First and Second Violins
- Violas
- Violoncellos
- Double basses (with low C extension).
Form[edit]
The piece consists of four movements and two interludes:[3]
- I. Kaddish
- II. Lullaby
- Minyan
- III. Night Fantasy
- Oseh Shalom
- IV. Memorial Day for the War Dead
Composition and Premiere[edit]
Poems and Prayers lasts 60 minutes.[2] The symphony sets poetry by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai alongside Palestinian poets Mahmoud Darwish and Fadwa Tuqan against the backdrop of the Kaddish,.[1][4]
The work was given its world premiere at Columbia University's Miller Theatre.[4]
Recording[edit]
A recording of Poems And Prayers was released together with Fairouz's clarinet concerto "Tahrir" on the Sono Luminus record label in May 2014. [5]
Sources[edit]
External links[edit]
- "NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony", NPR.
- "Poems and Prayers webpage", Poems and Prayers Page.