Akdamah veNirdefet - Hebrew Prelude & Fugue

'Akdama uNirdefet' (Hebrew Prelude and Fugue) is a homage to two musical styles, which influenced me greatly. The first is baroque polyphonic music; the second is the Israeli "Mediterranean style" (music of composers such as Paul Ben-Haim, Mordechai Seter, etc.). Therefore, in "Akdama..." I tried to combine both styles. The idea behind its' composition is to create a piece with a classical-baroque form and combine it with the spirit and character of Israeli concert music tradition.

In the piece, we hear a contrast between two parts. The first describes a Jew in the diaspora, using a somewhat Jewish theme, with a romantic harmonisation, which reminds the arrangments of traditional Jewish music made by composers of the new Jewish school (Joachim Stutschevsky, Joel Engel, etc.). The second is more lively and fast: it describes the free, romantic character of the Israeli native, leading a group of people. Each member of that group is independent, but together they perform a perfect social polyphony. The modality of the main theme, and the chromaticism of the counter-theme remind us of mediterranean soundscape of Israel.

In the words of Hebrew poet Shaul Tchernichovsky: "A man is an image drawn by his homeland". Likewise is the music.

Performers: Vladimir Chechelnitsky - clarinet / Nadia Raz Chacham - bassoon / Naama sachs - violin / Igor Tankevich - cello - Timor Shapira - piano.

Special thanks to: Timor Shapira (Ensemble director), Dan Deutsch and Prof. Michael Wolpe (Production).

Videofilmed: Oron Caspi.