Tower of David and Jerusalem walls at night (Photo:
Adiel lo,
CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
13th-century Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi described Jerusalem as “the place where everything is music … and brothers and strangers are one.” Apollo’s Fire, under the direction of Jeannette Sorrell, presents an exploration of the four quarters of Old Jerusalem (Jewish, Christian, Arab, and Armenian/Byzantine,) and the cross-cultural influences of the city’s inhabitants. The rhythms of daily life — love, song, dance, and prayer -– culminate in a joyous celebration of brotherhood and sisterhood.
Read Lisa Flynn’s interview with Jeannette Sorrell here: Three Faiths Connected Through Music: ‘O, Jerusalem!’ With Apollo’s Fire
Tonight’s program was recorded live in concert on March 12, 2020 at Northwestern University’s Galvin Recital Hall. A stream of tonight’s program will be available for 30 days following the broadcast. A blue “Listen” button will appear when the stream is accessible.
Playlist
O JERUSALEM!
Sephardic Medieval/traditional songs; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell
Ir me kero, Madre, a Yerushalayim (I want to go to Jerusalem, mother…)
Kuándo el Rey Nimrod (Avram Avinu)
– Jeffrey Strauss, Sorab Wadia, Amanda Powell, soloists
THE JEWISH QUARTER
Medieval sacred Hebrew poem; arranged by Daphna Mor and Jeannette Sorrell
Tzur mishelo akhalnu (The Lord our Rock,) Daphna Mor, vocals
Traditional Sephardic ballad; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell and Amanda Powell
Nani Nani (Lullaby,) Amanda Powell, vocals
Traditional Sephardic ballad; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell
A la una yo nací (At One I was Born,) Sorab Wadia, vocals
THE CHRISTIAN & ARMENIAN QUARTERS
Sacred Armenian chant; arranged by René Schiffer
Havun-Havun,
– René Schiffer, cello
Andrea Falconieri (1585-1656)
Passacaglia in G Minor
Salamone Rossi (1570-1630)
La Bergamasca –
Cantigas de Santa Maria Codex, c. 1250; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell,
Cantiga #100: Santa Maria, Strela do Dia
– Amanda Powell, Brian Kay & Company
MOSQUE, SYNAGOGUE & CATHEDRAL
Muslim Call to Prayer
– Rex Benincasa & Zafer Tawil
Medieval plainchant
Sancta Maria succure miseris
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Vespers of 1610
Nigra sum sed formosa
– Jacob Perry, tenor
Medieval plainchant
Nigra sum sed formosa
Medieval Hebrew prayer; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell
Tzur mishelo akhalnu (The Lord our Rock)
– Jeffrey Strauss and Sorab Wadia
Medieval Sephardic liturgical chant; arranged by J. Strauss/J. Sorrell/R. Schiffer
Ki eshmera Shabbat (If I Guard the Sabbath)
– Jeffrey Strauss, baritone
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Vespers of 1610
Gloria Patri; Lauda Jerusalem
– Jacob Perry, tenor
THE ARAB QUARTER
Improvisation
– Zafer Tawil
Traditional Arab/Andalusian mwasha; arranged by Jeannette Sorrell
Lamma bada
– Amanda Powell with Zafer Tawil
Traditional Arabic; arranged by Riad al Sunbati
Farahfaza
Traditional Arabic/Turkish
Longha Nahawand
NEIGHBORHOOD FIESTA
Traditional Sephardic/Ladino song; edited by René Schiffer
La Komida la Manyana (The Morning Meal)
– Jeffrey Strauss, Sorab Wadia, Amanda Powell, Adriana Ruiz and Company
ARTISTS
APOLLO’S FIRE; Jeannette Sorrell, Artistic Director
WINDS, PLUCKS, & PERCUSSION: Daphna Mor, ney, recorder; Zafer Tawil, oud, qanunl Brian Kay, oud, baglama saz, lute; William Simms, theorbo, baroque guitar; Parker Ramsay, medieval harp; Luke Conklin, oboe, flute, shawm; Rex Benincasa, percussion
STRING BAND: Julie Andrijeski, violin, medieval Vielle; Emi Tanabe, violin; Yael Cohen, violin, viola; René Schiffer, cello; Sue Yelanjian, contrabass
APOLLO’S SINGERS:
SOPRANO: Amanda Powell, Kristine Caswelch, Melanie Emig, Ashlee Foreman, Fiona Gillespie, Rachel Osherow, Adriana Ruiz
ALTO: Leslie Frye, John McElliott, Jay White, Raquel Winnica
TENOR: Jacob Perry, Sorab Wadia, Gene Stenger, Nathan Dougherty
BASS: Jeffrey Strauss, Daniel Fridley, Frankie Prado, Loren Reash-Henz
