Poems and Prayers explained

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.

Instrumentation

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

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]

    Composition and Premiere

    Poems and Prayers lasts 60 minutes. The symphony sets poetry by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai alongside Palestinian poets Mahmoud Darwish and Fadwa Tuqan against the backdrop of the Kaddish,.[4]

    The work was given its world premiere at Columbia University's Miller Theatre.

    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]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. https://www.npr.org/2012/02/18/146942603/three-poetic-traditions-inspire-a-mideast-symphony NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony
    2. http://mohammedfairouz.com/works/?search-term=&work-year=&genre=Symphony Mohammed Fairouz Symphonies
    3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8zi8joTgzU Mohammed Fairouz discusses Poems and Prayers
    4. http://www.columbia.edu/event/world-premiere-symphony-3-poems-and-prayers-mohammed-fairouz-56255.html 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