BAROQUE SUITE

Sung in Hebrew

III. COURANTE: ḥALOMI (MY DREAM)

My God, Thy dwelling places are lovely!
It is in vision and not in dark speeches that Thou art near.

My dream did bring me into the sanctuaries of God,
And I beheld His beautiful services;
And the burnt offering and meal offering and drink offering,
And round about, heavy clouds of smoke.
And it was ecstasy to me to hear the Levites’ song,
In their council for the order of services.

I awoke, and I was yet with Thee, O God,
And I gave thanks, and it was sweet to thank Thee.

IV. SARABANDE: ET SHIMKHA L'VAREKH (WAKE ME TO BLESS MY NAME)

Thou didst know me before Thou hadst formed me,
And so long as Thy spirit is within me, Thou keepest me.
Have I any standing ground if Thou drive me out?
Is there any going forth for me if Thou restrain me?
And what can I say, since my thought is in Thine hand?
And what can I do until Thou help me?
I have sought Thee: in a time of favor answer me,
And as with a shield, gird me round with Thy grace.
Raise me up to seek early Thy shrine;
Wake me to bless Thy name.

V. MINUET: KOL KOKHVEI VOKER (MORNING HYMN)

All the stars of morning sing to Thee,
For the radiance of their shining is of Thee;
And the sons of God, standing by the watches
Of night and day, glorify the glorious name;
And the company of saints receive the word from them,
And every dawn, wake early to seek Thine house.

VI. FUGUE: ḥELKI ADONAI (THE LORD IS MY PORTION)

Servants of time—the slaves of slaves are they;
The Lord’s servant, he alone is free.
Therefore when each man seeketh his portion,
“The Lord is my portion,” saith my soul.

Source: Brody 1924
Translation: Nina Salaman