“O firstborn Father, who created the beings, a mystery that continues to grow and unveil; O owner of the road, let me pass” (Suyere to Oddua, ancient Yoruba burial ceremony, unknown date).
How does vocal music function in processes of departure and escorting into the unknown? The New Music Student Choir of Musrara presents the outcome of a performative interpretation lab with a repertoire that unpacks states of grief, loss, and cleansing. Between sinking in the river of sorrow and floating on the wings of the bitter laugh of disillusionment, we have gathered together songs from musical traditions near and far. Through various points on the spectrum between sacred and profane, words in Latin, Russian, French, Yoruba, Hebrew, English, and Aramaic unfold, and a space opens up to shed tears, dream, and perhaps, move on.
Texts and compositions: Anonymous Benedictine monk (St. Gall, 10th century), Catullus (Roman poet, 1st century BC), Thomas di Celano (13th century), anonymous French (15th century), Jewish liturgy, Carl Orff, Josquin des Prez, Calixto Alvarez, trad. English, Gregorian, trad. Russian, Yiftach Krezner, Gentle Giant, Stevie Wonder, and Kate Bush, among others.
Arrangements: Michael McGlynn, Noya Fox, Stav Shadama, Or Aloni, Yuval Itzhaki, Yoav Tzemach, Roni Arad, Shelly Reizis, Tomer Damsky and the Choir.
Choir members: Eran Ivgi, Or Aloni, Roni Arad, Luna Bellity, Shaul Dahan, Or David, Yuval Itzhaki, Yael Kalif, Tomer Naftali, Ilay Skotelsky, Noya Fox, Mika Tzur, Yoav Tzemach, Keren Rotstein, Shelly Reizis, Stav Shdema, Noga Shalit Glick, Ryan Shaaban, Eden Shaked.
Conductor and artistic director: Tomer Damsky
Assistant conductor: Noya Fox