Libavtini Achoti Chala (You have captured my heart), for solo voice, SATB chorus and piano (1983) | 3’

About

Libavtini Achoti Chala (You have captured my heart, my dear one, my bride) was originally composed as a solo a cappella song for a wedding at which I was the cantor. The Connecticut Hebrew Chorale, Carol Kozak Ward, conductor, commissioned me to expand this into a choral piece in 1983. The words come from the great Biblical love song, the Song of Songs (Shir Hashirim), and capture words of passionate love being sung to a bride. The Connecticut Hebrew Chorale gave the premiere of the piece in New Haven, CT in 1983. I have also arranged the piece for solo voice and piano.

Commissioned by the Connecticut Hebrew Chorale.

Score

Arrangements

Solo and SATB Chorus and Piano
Solo Voice and Piano

Listen/Watch

Text

Source: Bible: Song of Songs

Libavtini achoti chala, 
Libavtini b’achad mei-einayich,
B’achad anak mitsavronayich. 


Ma yafu dodayich achoti chala,
Ma tovu dodayich miyayin, 
V’reiach sh’manayich mikol b’samim.

Uri tsafon uvo-i teiman,
Hafichi gani yiz’lu v’samav,
Yavo dodi l’gano, v’yochal p’ri m’gadav.

You have captured my heart, my own, my bride,
You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes,
With one coil of your necklace.

How sweet is your love, my own, my bride,
How much more delightful your love than wine,
Your ointments more fragrant than any spice.

Awake, O north wind, come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden, that its perfume may spread.
Let my beloved come to his garden and enjoy its luscious fruits!

[Translation from Tanach (Jewish Publication Society)]

Performances

Premiere performance: Gerald Cohen, baritone; Connecticut Hebrew Chorale, Carol Kozak Ward, conductor, New Haven, CT 1983.