Voices of a City (1968 revised 2005) (In Memoriam 9/11) for winds, strings and percussion Streets - Central Park – Skyscrapers/Subways As far away as the Negev desert, the echoes of 9/11 resounded and called for response. Voices of a City is picturesque and impressionist work about New York City, a place where I have lived and worked and loved. "Streets" treks the pavement and navigates the traffic of metropolis; it is a testimony to the city's energy, vigor, and idealism. "Central Park" contrasts calm residential brownstone houses and introspective pastoral reverie, with children's play, mocking laughter and stark reality. "Skyscrapers and Subways" transforms vertical vistas into horizontal impulse. Its rhythm depicts both a subway ride on the Manhattan Transit Authority (MTA) and scenic views above ground. This recording was made under the direction of the composer at the IPO Guest House in Ramat Aviv by members of the ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA - Alexander Stark and Elyakum Saltzman, violins; Roman Spitzer and Miriam Hartman, violas; Shulamit Lorrain, cello; Teddy Kling, bass; Boaz Meirovitch, flute; Tamar Narkiss, oboe; Ron Selka, clarinet; Uzi Shalev, bassoon; and Dan Moshayev, percussion (Tone master: Yaakov Aviram, September 12, 2013). Hassidie Duets for violin and viola (1980/2013). Processional - Meditation - Dance These duets are based on soulful Hasidic prayer melodies (Mi Pi Eyl, Psalm 115, and Bar Yochai). They were premiered at the Ariel Conference for Law and Mass Media, April 29, 2013, and recorded by violinist Asher Blachman and violist Gil Hazan of the Israel Sinfonietta (Tone master: Leon Kaslin, May 10, 2013). Song of the Morning Stars for orchestra (1979) This colorful orchestral essay strives towards a cosmic song of praise. Structured in two parts, it glistens in bright tonalities and mixed meters, depicting the heavens at the dawn of creation, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7). URI MAYER, artistic advisor of the ISRAEL SINFONIETTA (1991-1999), leads this live IBA concert-broadcast from the Jerusalem Theater (Tone master: Michael Popper, March 19, 1995). Jubilation's Voice (2012) for soprano, choir, narrator, percussion, shofar, and strings Texts: Isaiah, Psalms This prophecy of restoration gives voice to ancient biblical oracles of consolation and redemption being realized in our own time. It was conceived for the Ariel University Choir, joined by the brilliant Israeli soprano, AMALIA ISHAK, and string quintet (Michael Zacharin and Tatiana Baiderson, violins; Ilya Kaplun, viola; Galina Lanchakov, cello; and Shay Pecker, bass). It was recorded at the Ariel Cultural Center on May 16, 2012 (Tone master: Ariel Turgeman). TEXTS And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isa. 35:10). Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem (Isa. 52:1), How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good tidings, that announceth peace, the harbinger of good tidings, that announceth salvation; that saith unto Zion: 'Thy God reigneth!' Hark, thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see, eye to eye, the Lord returning to Zion (Isa. 52:7-9). And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord (Isa. 66:23). Sing aloud unto God our strength; shout unto the God of Jacob. Blow the horn at the new moon, at the full moon for our feast-day. For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob (Ps. 81:2, 4-5). וּפְדוּיֵי ה' יְשֻׁבוּן, וּבָאוּ צִיּוֹן בְּרִנָּה, וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם, עַל-רֹאשָׁם; שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה יַשִּׂיגוּ, וְנָסוּ יָגוֹן וַאֲנָחָה. עוּרִי עוּרִי לִבְשִׁי עֻזֵּךְ, צִיּוֹן: לִבְשִׁי בִּגְדֵי תִפְאַרְתֵּךְ, יְרוּשָׁלִַם מַה-נָּאווּ עַל-הֶהָרִים רַגְלֵי מְבַשֵּׂר, מַשְׁמִיעַ שָׁלוֹם מְבַשֵּׂר טוֹב--מַשְׁמִיעַ יְשׁוּעָה; אֹמֵר לְצִיּוֹן, מָלַךְ אֱלֹהָיִךְ קוֹל צֹפַיִךְ נָשְׂאוּ קוֹל, יַחְדָּו יְרַנֵּנוּ: כִּי עַיִן בְּעַיִן יִרְאוּ, בְּשׁוּב ה' צִיּוֹן. וְהָיָה, מִדֵּי-חֹדֶשׁ בְּחָדְשׁוֹ, וּמִדֵּי שַׁבָּת, בְּשַׁבַּתּוֹ; יָבוֹא כָל-בָּשָׂר לְהִשְׁתַּחֲו‍ֹת לְפָנַי, אָמַר ה' . הַרְנִינוּ, לֵאלֹהִים עוּזֵּנוּ; הָרִיעוּ, לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב . תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר; בַּכֵּסֶה, לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ. כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא; מִשְׁפָּט, לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב. With Voices, Trumpets, and Shofars (2012) …And they swore unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with shofars (2 Chron. 15:14). The sounding of trumpets in ancient Israel was a joyous event (In the day of your gladness, ye shall blow with the trumpets, Num. 10:10); while the blast shofars symbolized awe and contrition, associated with the Binding of Isaac, Genesis 22:1-19, and God's voice at Sinai, Exodus 19:19. The Mishnah states, The shofar sounded a long note, but the trumpets a short one, for the duty of the day devolved on the shofar (Rosh Hashanah 3:3). Voices have been added to these trumpet teruahs (calls) and shofar blasts, singing, Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord…Praise Him with the blast of the shofar...Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150). Recorded by Kansas State University Trumpet Ensemble (November 21, 2009); University of Colorado, Boulder vocal ensemble (April 1, 1985); and shofar blasts by the composer; with technical assistance from Leon Kaslin and Yaakov Aviram (October-December 2013). Dreams: Three Songs for voice and piano (1976) This triptych of songs to texts by American and English poets touch upon feelings of hope, despair, love, memory, longing, and aspiration. They were recorded at Domovina Studio, Prague, by Czech mezzo-soprano, KRISTYNA VALOUSKOVA and pianist Hanus Bartos (Tone Master: Jaroslav Rybar, July 19, 2001). Dreams Langston Hughes, 20th C. Afro-American poet Hold on to dreams, for when dreams die, Life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. Hold on to dreams, for when dreams go, Life is a barren field, covered with snow. Jenny Kissed Me Leigh Hunt, 19th C. English-Romantic poet Jenny kissed me when we met; jumping from the chair she sat in. Time, you thief who love to get pearls into your purse, put that in. Say I'm weary, said I'm sad, say that health and wealth have missed me. Say I'm growing old, but add, Jenny, kissed me. Earthbound Barbara Dalia Jasmine, 20th C. Springfield, Massachusetts poet I am weary of life and living, I am tired of love and all it's giving. I am searching for a peace of mind seen distantly in dreams. Earthly joys and happiness cannot compare to this. I will never cease my yearning for that far-a-way star. Three Pastorals for contrabass solo (1969) Allegretto Giocoso - Lento – Grazioso These three lyric sonnets project the contrabass's unique depth of character and tender humour in poetic expressions of love, loss, song, cry and dance. The work is structured as a natural flowing narrative bending rhythm, tempo, and gesture to expressive intent. They were performed by the composer and recorded live, at the concert series Mittagsmusik im Pedigerchor by Dr. Chris Walton, advisor of the Music Division, Zentralbibliotek Zurich, Switzerland on February 2, 2000.