“The Prophet” (1987) for symphonic orchestra, piano and choir

Performances:
13.01.2016 – a world premiere with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra
under maestro Frédéric Chaslin at the Henry Crown Hall of the Jerusalem Sherover Theater
(live broadcast  by the Kol Hamusica national radio channel);
04.10.2018, 06.10.2018, 08.10.2018 – Charles Bronfman Auditorium, Tel Aviv,
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), Munich Bach Choir under maestro Zubin Mehta;
07.10.2018 – International Convention Center (ICC), Jerusalem, Ussishkin Hall,
IPO, Munich Bach Choir under Zubin Mehta;
07.10.2018 – Rappoport Auditorium, Haifa, IPO, Munich Bach Choir under Zubin Mehta;

Publications: IMC

Listen to The Prophet w IPO and Munich Bach Choir

Listen to The Prophet – orchestral version w JSO

Listen to The Prophet with the text

Symphonic poem “The Prophet” by the Israeli-Russian composer Uri Brener was
initially written as a part of a bigger symphonic mega-cycle “Symphonic Chronicles”.
It was created as an expression of the inner elevation and wonder, evoked by the famous
poem of the same name by A.S. Pushkin, as well as by parts of the book “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran.
A feeling of awareness and awe in the face of the Higher Reality, together with transcendental insight
embodied in these incredible literal works, are the foundations for the musical and spiritual core of the work.
The Pushkin`s poem is clearly of a meta – autobiographic character – it`s about the Poet in his homeland
whose role is identical to that of a prophet (the entire text is based on the verses from chapter 6 in the Book of Isaiah).
The Poet is perceived here as a tormented figure, filled with an awareness of his supreme mission –
awakening the hearts of the mankind by proclaiming the Divine Truth unto them and illuminating a path to a higher, more spiritual life.

 

THE PROPHET

With fainting soul athirst for Grace,
I wandered in a desert place,
And at the crossing of the ways
I saw a sixfold Seraph blaze;

He touched mine eyes with fingers light
As sleep that cometh in the night:
And like a frightened eagle’s eyes,
They opened wide with prophecies.

He touched mine ears, and they were drowned
With tumult and a roaring sound:
I heard convulsion in the sky,
And flight of angel hosts on high,
And beasts that move beneath the sea,

And the sap creeping in the tree.
And bending to my mouth he wrung
From out of it my sinful tongue,
And all its lies and idle rust,
And ‘twixt my lips a-perishing
A subtle serpent’s forkèd sting

With right hand wet with blood he thrust.
And with his sword my breast he cleft,
My quaking heart thereout he reft,
And in the yawning of my breast
A coal of living fire he pressed.

Then in the desert I lay dead,
And God called unto me and said:
“Arise, and let My voice be heard,
Charged with My will go forth and span
The land and sea, and let My word
Lay waste with fire the heart of man.”

1826 A.S.Pushkin (translated by Maurice Baring).