Two Hebrew Settings for Mixed Voices: ADON OLAM and HOMAGE TO ROSSI

This posting is to announce the availability of two of my choral compositions for mixed voices set to traditional Hebrew words.

 

The first title is a setting of the Sabbath text ADON OLAM for SATB chorus (divisi) unaccompanied. Although the composition of this piece was completed in 1994 under the title LORD OF THE WORLD, that version, which was sung in English, was recently withdrawn. It has been replaced by a newly revised version sung in Hebrew. ADON OLAM is appropriate both as a concert piece and as an anthem for Jewish Sabbath or holiday services.

 

The second is a tribute to composer Salomone Rossi (c. 1570–1630) titled HOMAGE TO ROSSI for SATB chorus unaccompanied. Conceptually, this piece is a quasi miniature Sabbath Torah service. It begins with Rossi’s composition BAR’CHU verbatim, followed by a variation on it, BARUCH 1, the next blessing for the Torah reading. Then comes the centerpiece of the composition, the Parsha (Torah portion) for which I chose Parsha Shelach, which is Numbers 13:1–15 and 41; I used 4:18 and 15:39–41 in this setting. This section, ADONAI ERECH APAYIM, features music that strays from the home key to reflect the text “…and you shall not wander after your hearts and after your eyes after which you are going astray.” The music gradually returns to the home key, reflecting the words “…so that you shall remember and perform all My commandments.” The homage closes with BARUCH 2 which presents the music of BARUCH 1 with different words, namely the closing blessing for the Torah reading. HOMAGE TO ROSSI is appropriate as a concert piece. Although this setting cannot be used liturgically, adventuresome temple choruses may certainly consider programming it during services as an unusual substitution for an anthem, especially during the week in which Parsha Shelach is read.

 

Both ADON OLAM and HOMAGE TO ROSSI are available for sale from oySongs.com.

Below is a link to my compositions on their Website.

You will need the free Scorch plug-in from Sibelius.com to view and listen to these scores.

http://www.us.sibelius.com/products/scorch/index.html

 

http://www.oysongs.com/products/artist.cfm?artist_id=206

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Stanley M. Hoffman, Ph.D., composer

https://choralnet.org/view/user/12190

http://www.stanleymhoffman.com