Composer

:

Roxanna Panufnik

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

2016

Average_duration

:

07:32

'Hora Bessarabia' is a composition by British composer Roxanna Panufnik. It was composed in 2008 and premiered on 22nd November 2008 at the Barbican Centre in London by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson. The piece is a tribute to the Jewish community of Bessarabia, a region that was once part of Romania and is now divided between Moldova and Ukraine. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different aspect of Bessarabian Jewish culture. The first movement, titled 'Hora', is a lively dance that captures the joy and energy of the community's celebrations. The second movement, 'Lament', is a mournful and reflective piece that represents the community's struggles and hardships. The final movement, 'Hora Staccato', is a fast-paced and virtuosic dance that showcases the technical abilities of the performers. The piece is characterized by its use of traditional Jewish melodies and rhythms, which are combined with contemporary orchestration techniques to create a unique and modern sound. The use of percussion instruments, such as the darbuka and tambourine, adds to the rhythmic complexity of the piece. The composition also features a prominent role for the violin, which is a traditional instrument in Jewish music. Overall, 'Hora Bessarabia' is a powerful and evocative tribute to the Jewish community of Bessarabia. Through its use of traditional melodies and contemporary orchestration, the piece captures the spirit and culture of this vibrant community.

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