String Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.944031 Composed by Ofer Ben-Amots. Contemporary,Jewish. Score and parts. 132 pages. The Composer's Own Press #4609863. Published by The Composer's Own Press (A0.944031). THE KLEZMER CONCERTO The concerto opens with a slow but intense movement titled Pastoral Doyna.  A Doyna is a lament-like melody -- both declamatory and melancholic -- of Eastern-European origin, most likely Rumanian, Gypsy, or Jewish. The opening by the string ensemble is reminiscent of the awakening sound of nature. On top of the busy accompaniment the clarinet enters with occasional shouts, echoes, and cry-like gestures. The second movement is a sort of a wedding-waltz, titled: Dance of the Seven Circles. The name goes back to the old Jewish tradition according to which a bride must circle seven times around the bridegroom before the actual start of the marriage ceremony. Its nature of this movement is a mixture of irony and passion, humor and pain. At the end of the waltz the clarinetist is invited to play a free cadenza and improvise on previous motives and melodic patterns. The movement ends with a return to the orchestra, with a soulful lament and quiet murmuring of the soloist. The third and last movement of the concerto is titled Halleluya. It is inspired by the textual content, vibrant rhythms and many musical instruments suggested in the 150th Psalm. Toward the end of this movement, there is a second solo cadenza in a perpetual motion style, where upon the players of the orchestra join in and add their voices to the pandemonium with a song of praise: Halleluya! Parts available through rental only! For performance materials, demo recording, questions, or any additional information please e-mail Ofer Ben-Amots at: thecomposerspress@gmail.com
