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Poems and Prayers

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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

The symphony is scored orchestra, a mixed choir and two soloists (mezzo-soprano and baritone).[2]

Woodwinds
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets
2 Bassoons
Brass
4 French Horns in F
2 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Percussion
Voices
Mezzo-Soprano Solo
Baritone
Mixed Chorus
Strings
Harp
First and Second Violins
Violas
Violoncellos
Double basses (with low C extension).

Form

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

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

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

  1. ^ a b NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony
  2. ^ a b c d Mohammed Fairouz Symphonies
  3. ^ Mohammed Fairouz discusses Poems and Prayers
  4. ^ a b Columbia University Page for Poems and Prayers
  5. ^ ["http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=DSL-92177 Naxos page for Poems and Prayers]
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