SCORED FOR:
Soloist, SATB, piano
OCCASION:
High Holy Days
COMPOSITION DATE:
1992
DESCRIPTION:
The cantor’s opening phrase for the word “Hin’ni” re-appears at
“v’af al pi”and again at “ki ata” towards the end of the piece,
providing a touchstone of familiarity.
The composition deploys a combination of traditional cantorial elements, innovative harmonies, lyrical melodic passages, and dramatic gestures
(“shadai ayom v’nora" – my God, Almighty, fearful and awesome")
interspersed with moments of tenderness ("heyei na matzliach darki –
give me success along the road that I tread”).
Of significance is the way the music returns so naturally
to the original starting key and opening musical material
for the words “ki ata".
BACKGROUND:
Commissioned by Cantor Chayim Frenkel in honor of his father
Cantor Uri Frenkel’s 78th birthday.
This was the perfect text to pay homage to Cantor Frenkel's dad.