Poems and Prayers

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. NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony
2. Mohammed Fairouz Symphonies
3. Mohammed Fairouz discusses Poems and Prayers
4. 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]

External links

• "NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony", NPR.
• "Poems and Prayers webpage", Poems and Prayers Page.