Israel Shalom

Kees Vlak dedicates the rhapsody "Israel Shalom" to the modern Israeli state. He uses folkloristic elements and creates a new piece of music.

The work begins with impressions from Purim which commemorates the deliverance of the Persian Jews by Esther. The happy atmosphere reminds us of carnival with street parades and colorful costumes. The music cannot deny essential influences from Eastern Europe, e.g. from Russia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria, but Gypsy and dance music is heard too.

Some 25,000 Bedouins in the Negev Desert still lead a nomad’s life. The solo theme played by the clarinet which opens the second part of the rhapsody alludes to the solitude and seclusion even that governs their lives.

This episode is followed by an elegy which stands for the meditations at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

The final fragment picks up the festive atmosphere of the first section leading towards a triumphant finale of the rhapsody.