(1993)
Instr:
violin and piano or solo violin, or cello and piano
Duration:
4 minutes 30 seconds
Commission:
for Daniel Heifetz
Bracha is a musical interpretation of the Jewish concept of blessing. The Hebrew word, bracha, is related to breicha, which means pool of water, or flowing stream. In this composition, it is interpreted as a stream of Divine goodness flowing downward into the world. The opening gesture represents this stream of goodness in its flowing melodic descent. As the piece progresses and the blessing is received, other melodies emerge in response to this influx of goodness. Toward the end of the composition, the opening violin (or cello) melody turns upwards, as a blessing fully received on earth returns its flow (shefa) into the upper worlds (olamot).
— Meira Warshauer
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