Weisgall, Hugo

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Hugo Weisgall, one of the 20th century's most individualistic and creative composers, united an early affinity for the musical aesthetics of Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern with a lifelong commitment to and fascination with his Jewish heritage. His symphonic masterpiece, T'kiatot, is based on a central section of the traditional Rosh Hashana service in which the shofar (ram's horn) is sounded three times. The aweinspiring blasts of an actual shofar are set within a richly chromatic orchestral texture to brilliant effect. The song cycle Psalm of the Distant Dove, based on biblical and medieval Hebrew-Spanish poetry, celebrates the mystical, age-old relationship between God and His loving but suffering people Israel, represented by the image of a dove. Also inspired by the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry is A Garden Eastward, one of Weisgall's most rhapsodic vocal and orchestral conceptions, which the composer once called his "most beautiful work."

Reviews and Recognitions:

"[Weisgall's] mastery comes out in T'kiatot.... One feels both intellect and passion in the work. For me, it awakens near-atavistic memories." —Steve Schwartz, ClassicalCDReview.com

"The vocal pieces...are beautifully rendered by Ana María Martínez, Phyllis Bryn-Julson and the BBC singers. The chorale etudes, sung by the BBC group, are particularly lovely." —George Robinson, Jewish Week

"The orchestration [of T'kiatot: Rituals for Rosh Hashana] recalls Schoenberg...with its vivid, familiar colors laid on in thick Van Gogh brush-strokes." —Ian Quinn, American Record Guide

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