This Scroll

1986

(Ode to the Declaration of Independence)
"This Scroll" is inspired by the spirit of the Israeli folklore. The work is written as a Rondo of sorts.
The backbone of "This Scroll" is the historical recording of the reading of Israel's Declaration of Independence by its first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. Each spoken chapter is followed by a song (aria) of the solo singer.
The choir intervenes after each solo song with a "ritornello" (refrain) which changes its character and its feeling according to the content and mood of the preceding song.
The texts of the songs and the libretto were construed and written by the Israeli poet Haim Hefer, and they are a personal comment to the Declaration of Independence: the goals and dreams as confronted with what actually happened.
The work features a solo singer (baritone or tenor), choir, symphony orchestra and the recorded voice of David Ben-Gurion. The premiere was at the Jerusalem Theater, for the centennial celebrations to the birth of Ben Gurion, with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Rinat Choir and soloist Yehoram Gaon, conducted by Stanley Sperber.
"This Scroll" was given repeated renditions by the Young Israel Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Sinfonietta Beer Sheva.

Publisher: IMI – Israel Music Institute