About

L’dor Vador (“From generation to generation”) was commissioned by the Cantors Assembly for HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, in honor of their founder and director, Matthew Lazar; the piece received its premiere in March 2015 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.  After thinking about several different texts for the commissioned piece,  the musical idea for L’dor Vador came to me as soon I as began composing: the perpetual motion in the piano, like time flowing by, with the choral melody poised, hovering, over the accompaniment. The text, from the Kedusha (holiness) section of the central daily Amidah prayer, is a natural choice for a choir that plays such a key role in transmitting our rich Jewish musical tradition “from generation to generation”.  HaZamir is a treasure, one that we are so fortunate to have for our young people in their growth as musicians and Jews.  I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to write this piece for them, especially with the support of the Cantors Assembly, another vitally important organization in preserving and advancing Jewish music.

Score

Text and Translation

L’dor vador nagid god’lecha,
U’l’netsach n’tsachim k’dushat’cha nakdish.
V’shivchacha, Eloheynu, mipinu lo yamush l’olam va-ed,
Ki El Melech gadol v’kadosh Atah.
Baruch Atah Adonai, haEl hakadosh.

From generation to generation we will declare your greatness,
And for ever and ever we will make sacred your holiness.
Your praise, our God, shall never depart from our lips,
For you, God and sovereign, are great and holy.
Praised are you, Adonai, the holy God.

– from the Siddur: Kedusha section of Amidah

Photos

Photos from the premiere of L’dor Vador, March 2015 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York, NY

Performances

Premiere: March 2015:  HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, Kelly Shepard, conductor, Avery Fisher Hall, New York, NY
June 2015: The Zamir Chorale, Matthew Lazar, conductor, New York, NY
December 2015: The Zamir Chorale and Zamir Noded, Matthew Lazar, conductor, New York, NY
May 2017: Gerald Cohen Vocal Ensemble, Scarsdale, NY

About

Sim Shalom was commissioned by the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, located on Long Island, NY. This summer program has been an inspiring place for young musicians and other artists since 1968. Sim Shalom was given its premiere in August 2001 by the Usdan Festival Chorus, Elliot Bean, conductor.

The text Sim Shalom (Grant Peace) is recited every morning as the final section of the Amidah, the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. Sim Shalom is felt as the culmination of the entire Amidah, which thus concludes with a prayer for peace and a sense of gratitude for our many blessings in life.

—Gerald Cohen

Score

Listen/Watch

Text

Jewish liturgy: Morning Amidah prayer

Sim shalom tova uvracha, 
chein vachesed v’rachamim, 
aleinu v’al kol Yisrael amecha, 
al kol Yisrael amecha. 
[v’al kol yoshvei olamecha]
Barcheinu avinu kulanu k’echad 
b’or panecha,
Ki v’or panecha natata lanu Adonai Eloheinu,
torat chayim v’ahavat chesed,
uts’daka uv’racha, v’rachamim v’chayim v’shalom.
V’tov b’einecha l’vareich et am’cha Yisrael,
b’chol eit uv’chol shaa bishlomecha.
Sim shalom tova uvracha,
chein vachesed v’rachamim, 
sim shalom.

Grant peace, goodness and blessing,
grace and mercy and compassion, 
for us and for all Israel, your people.
[and for all the inhabitants of Your world.]
Bless us, our Creator, one and all, 
with the light of Your presence.
For by that light You have given us, Adonai our God,
life-giving Torah, and merciful love,
righteousness, blessing, compassion, and life and peace.
And let it be good in your eyes to bless Your people Israel,
in every season and at every hour with Your peace.
Grant peace, goodness and blessing,
grace and mercy and compassion,
grant peace.

Performances

Premiere: Usdan Festival Chorus, Elliot Bean, conductor, Long Island, NY, August 2001

About

Lakol z’man/For everything a season was commissioned by the Cantabile Chamber Chorale, Rebecca Scott, conductor.  The piece is written in memory of Ronald Axelrad—a beloved member of the chorus, and a great lover of life and of music of many sorts.

The text for this piece is the famous section from the book of Ecclesiastes (known in Hebrew as Kohelet).  I have chosen to set the refrain in both Hebrew and English; the melody of the refrain is based upon the traditional cantillation of the text as it is chanted with the Hebrew text, as recited in services on the holiday of Sukkot. The opposing pairs of “a time to…” that make up the rest of the text are set in English, each verse leading to a fuller and more impassioned return of the refrain. The coda of the piece gives the melody of the refrain quietly to the piano, with the chorus singing words of the verses in a gentle recitation.

Gerald Cohen
August 2004

Commissioned by Cantabile Chamber Chorus

Score

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Text

Lakol z’man, v’et l’kol chefets tachat hashamayim,
For everything a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens.
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to break down and a time to build up —
Lakol z’man, v’et l’kol chefets tachat hashamayim,
For everything a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens.
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Lakol z’man, v’et l’kol chefets tachat hashamayim,
For everything a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens.

Performances

Premiere: Cantabile Chamber Chorus, Rebecca Scott, cond., December 2004, New Brunswick, NJ