Jewish Choral Works For Concert
Use
by Michael Reid Winikoff
How heartening it is to see and hear the renewed
interest in choral singing within the Jewish community over the past few
years, not only in "shul" but also in concert settings, such as
on the evening of S'lichot, Chanukkah, Israel Independence Day, Lag
B'Omer or other concert-worthy occasions.
What constitutes a concert-appropriate or
concert-worthy work? A subjective judgment, of course, one that depends on such
circumstances as the performing level of
the ensemble(s) involved, concert theme, audience, season, etc.
The pieces listed here are, in the composer's opinion,
well-suited for concert use, due in some cases to their
challenging (or easy) nature, their theme and occasion, their length and
complexity, their "flourish." But many other works in
the catalog are potentially concert-worthy as well.
For information on license permission for concert use, please see Terms of Use.
| A BAROQUE S'LICHOT | This 90-minute oratorio-like work will be apropos as a pre-S'lichot concert piece. May be performed complete or excerpted. |
A-DONAY RO-I ("The Lord My Shepherd Is") |
Atmospheric and tranquil. The four-part SATB version is moderately easy, and the fwo-part version even easier. The latter may be adapted in various ways. See Adaptabilities for A-donay Ro-i (2-part). Moderately easy. |
|
AHAVAT OLAM |
The long dolcissimo
unison lines that open the piece make for a golden opportunity
to demonstrate an accomplished sense of ensemble and blend for
the choir. Moderately easy. |
|
EIL MELECH YOSHEIV |
Grandeur, imagery and pathos, elaborately cast
in a traditional mold, make for an arresting rendition of this
moving S'lichot text. Most appropriate for a
pre-Slichot program. Somewhat challenging.
SATB or TTBB versions. |
| HAMA-AVIR BANAV | Israel's epochal crossing of the Red Sea is
dramatized in this grand pictorial anthem for SATB choir, in
either accompanied or a cappella version. This
work is studded
in awe-inspiring harmonic colors and soaring lines.
Especially apropos to Passover. |
|
HANEIROT HALALU Meditation on the Chanukkah Lights |
A beautiful and beguiling work for choir and solo violin, that captures the special mystical wonder and beauty of the Festival of Lights. Somewhat challenging. |
|
HASHKIVEINU (1989) Choir, Cantor, organ Duration: 7:00 |
An grand, old-style setting for choir and cantor, capturing the vivid drama of this Maariv prayer. SATB or TTBB versions. Somewhat challenging. |
|
HASHKIVEINU
Night Prayer with harp or piano Duration: 4:00 |
An easy, but entrancing setting of
this night prayer. The choral version may be performed
with or without solo. Hebrew or English singing texts.
SATB, TTBB or Two-Part versions. Harp or piano
accompaniment optional. Quite easy. |
|
HAVIEINU (Motet) |
Cast in the manner of a classical polyphonic
choral work, a well-executed reading of this piece will
demonstrate a substantial musical accomplishment on the part of
the ensemble offering it. Effective for a Slichot evening
concert. Challenging. |
| HAYOM HARAT OLAM (Motet) | This quasi-Renaissance-style polyphonic style motet
is painted in characteristic High Holy Day colors. Its
complexity can effectively showcase the ensemble's vocalism
and musicianship.
Challenging. |
|
L'CHA DODI |
While designed for use in a "modular" fashion
as needed in the worshhip service or in concert, to be
excerpted or abridged in a variety of ways, this work
performed full-length has a satisfying sense of form covering a
range of Shabbat moods. Harp accompaniment will add a rare
charm to the performance, or it may be performed with piano or
a cappella. Easy. |
| L'DOR VADOR | The text is the transitional prayer from the
K'dushah into the remaining prayers of the Amidah.
This quietly majestic musical setting conveys a profoundly
meditative mood, showcasing refinement of choral tone,
blend, and interpretive skill. |
|
MA TOVU |
This festive modernist setting of the prayer we
recite on entering the synagogue, will be highly effective and
arresting as the opening work for a concert program. May
be performed with organ or a cappella. Highly
challenging. |
| OSEH SHALOM | A beautiful and poignant prayer for peace with rich keyboard accompaniment, that begins simply in a single voice. Additional voices are added one by one, building to a moving climax. Easy. |
|
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL T'filah Lishlom M'dinat Yisrael |
A sweeping and fervent rendition of the
T'filah, all the more effective with a larger group, but this is
nonetheless moderately easy music for the choir. May be
performed a cappella. SATB, TTBB or Solo
versions. Moderately easy. |
|
PSALM 113 |
A ravishing work for eight-part choir with
soli, cast in Russian/Slavic style, but liberally infused with
nusach from the Haggim.
Its grand scale, complete with poignant final fugue and cadenza, will make
for
an exciting and moving concert work. Moderately challenging. |
| PSALM 117 (Hal'lu) | This brief, joyous setting of verses from
Hallel features a simple melodic line against a filigree of
piano with solo instrument obligato. The vocal line may be
taken by unison choir of treble, men's or mixed voices, which
may optionally be sung as solo on specific passages.
The high ease level of this part makes it suitable for
children's choir. See
Adaptabilities -
Psalm 117. Easy. |
|
PSALM 150 |
The text of Psalm 150 celebrates music as a
means of praising G-d. This setting celebrates and conveys the musical imagery of this well-known psalm with thrilling gestures of chromatic harmony, rhythm and counterpoint concluding with a brilliant fanfare, all to be sung a cappella. Properly presented, this work can be a choral tour-de-force. Challenging. |
|
SHALOM RAV ("Grant Peace") |
A blissful, tranquil sound picture, featuring
majestic choral melodies over a scintillating fabric of keyboard
sound. SATBB or TTBBB. Moderately easy. |
|
UV'SHOFAR GADOL |
The powerful words of this central prayer of
the High Holy Days are cast in vivid and stirring musical
language, depicting the drama of the celestial court of law on
the annual Day of Judgment.
Also consider for concert use the excerpt
K'vakarat. Moderately challenging. |
|
V'AL Y'DEI Zichronot |
A sprawling composition cast in honor of the
old style cantor-and-choir settings by such composers as Lind
and Greenberg. But this time, there are three formal
fugues along with lots of other incidental counterpoint to go
with the more traditional elements. SATB or TTBB versions,
with optional organ. Challenging. Also consider as a
brief concert work the excerpt
Havein Yakir Li. Challenging. |
|
V'SHAMRU Motet |
A sedate, contemplative narrative motet setting of
this text from Exodus. It is a compact work,
highlighting carefully modulated blend and subte nuance of
phrase, building to an expansive "creation of the heaven and the
earth," then settling down to the quiet coda of complete rest.
Artistry of interpretation will govern a successful performance
of this piece. SATB or TTBB versions, a cappella.
Occasionally tricky chromatics - otherwise, moderately easy. |
|
YA-ALEH |
The evocative opening and closing verses
surround richly textured casts of characteristic Yom Kippur
coloration, with shifting harmonic shades that will show the
best skills of ensemble. SATB a cappella. May be abridged or excerpted for concert use.
Somewhat challenging in certain passages. |
|
YISM'CHU |
A two-part setting combining a lilting Chassidic-style folk-like refrain with cantorial pathos - the traditional epitome of Shabbat morning - and ending with a duet cadenza.. May be performed in several ways - see Adaptabilities - Yism'chu. Moderately easy. |