A Choral Symphony: Halevi

American University performs the North American premiere of Arnold Saltzman’s “Choral Symphony: Halevi”

The combined forces of the American University Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Chamber Singers are joined by the Strathmore Children’s Chorus and guest soloists Janice Meyerson and Rob McGinness to perform the North American premiere of Arnold Saltzman’s A Choral Symphony: Halevi.

Arnold Saltzman is a respected rabbi in the D.C. area and accomplished composer whose works have been featured by a variety of ensembles, both locally and internationally. Completed in 2017, this large-scale composition is a lush and evocative symphonic setting of English translations of texts by the twelfth century Hebrew poet Judah Halevi.

Judah Halevi (c.1075-1141) was a Spanish poet and philosopher whose poems soon became one of the most influencial examples of Hebrew poetry. The texts by Judah Halevi were prepared in English translation by Raymond P. Scheindlin Professor Emeritus of Medieval Hebrew Literature at the Jewish theological Seminary, New York City.

Program

• Arnold Saltzman: A Choral Symphony: Halevi
• Joseph Haydn: Te Deum for Empress Maria Therese, Hob. XXIIIc:2

Artists

• American University Chorus
• American University Chamber Singers
• Strathmore Children’s Chorus (Michael Wu, Artistic Director)
• American University Symphony Orchestra
• Janice Meyerson, mezzo-soprano
• Rob McGinness, baritone
• Matthew Brown & Daniel Abraham, conductors