Composer

:

Mohammed Fairouz

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2015

First Performance

:

April 24, 2015

Average_duration

:

55:32

Zabur is a choral work composed by Mohammed Fairouz in 2015. It premiered on May 2, 2015, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its unique musical style and thematic content. The first movement, titled "Invocation," is a setting of Psalm 1 in Arabic. It begins with a solo soprano voice singing a haunting melody that is soon joined by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of Middle Eastern scales and rhythms, which give it a distinctly Arabic flavor. The text of the psalm is a meditation on the nature of righteousness and the consequences of wickedness. The second movement, titled "Lament," is a setting of Psalm 22 in Hebrew. It begins with a solo cello playing a mournful melody that is soon joined by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and angular melodies, which convey a sense of anguish and despair. The text of the psalm is a cry of pain and abandonment, expressing the psalmist's sense of isolation and despair. The third movement, titled "Praise," is a setting of Psalm 150 in English. It begins with a fanfare-like introduction that leads into a joyful and exuberant setting of the psalm. The music is characterized by its use of lively rhythms and bright harmonies, which convey a sense of celebration and praise. The text of the psalm is a call to praise God with all kinds of instruments and voices. Overall, Zabur is a powerful and moving work that combines elements of Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions to create a unique and compelling musical experience. Its themes of righteousness, lament, and praise are universal and timeless, making it a work that speaks to people of all cultures and faiths.

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