Composer

:

Paul Dessau

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Average_duration

:

90:37

Hagadah shel Pessach is a musical composition by Paul Dessau, a German composer who was born on December 19, 1894, and died on June 28, 1979. The piece was composed in 1961 and premiered in East Berlin on April 4, 1962. It is a setting of the Passover Haggadah, a Jewish text that tells the story of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. The composition is divided into six movements, each corresponding to a different part of the Haggadah. The first movement, "Kadesh," sets the tone for the piece with a solemn and majestic melody. The second movement, "Urchatz," is a lively and rhythmic dance that celebrates the washing of hands before the meal. The third movement, "Karpas," is a gentle and contemplative piece that reflects on the springtime and the renewal of life. The fourth movement, "Yachatz," is a dramatic and intense section that tells the story of the breaking of the middle matzah. The fifth movement, "Maggid," is the longest and most complex section of the piece, and it tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt through a series of recitations, songs, and prayers. The final movement, "Nirtzah," is a joyful and celebratory conclusion that expresses gratitude for the blessings of the past year and looks forward to the future. Dessau's composition is characterized by its use of traditional Jewish melodies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of modernist techniques such as dissonance and polytonality. The piece is scored for a large ensemble that includes choir, soloists, and orchestra, and it features a wide range of vocal and instrumental textures. Overall, Hagadah shel Pessach is a powerful and moving musical interpretation of the Passover story that reflects both the ancient traditions and the modern sensibilities of its composer.

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