Intro
A musical prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, this rare program is centered upon settings of Psalm 122 made by English composers of the Renaissance and Baroque, and by Israeli composers of modern times.
The repertoire includes music by John Blow, Henry Purcell, Thomas Tomkins, Thomas Tallis, Thomas Weelkes, Tobias Hume, Anthony Holborne, Benjamin Rogers, William Child, Charles King, Stefan Wolpe and David Feldman. This program was just released as a CD.
Artists
The present crew comprises: Myrna Herzog, concept, musical director & viols; Michal Okon, soprano; Hezy Levy, Yaacov Halperin - tenors; Eduardo Abramson - baritone; Tal Arbel, Riki Or, Alexandra Polin - viols; Ian Aylon - baroque guitar; Marina Minkin - organ.
The CD was recorded by: Myrna Herzog, concept & musical director, treble & bass viols; Miriam Meltzer – soprano; Hezy Levy - tenor; The Revd. Yazeed Said - tenor; Eduardo Abramson – baritone, viol; Sharon Rosner - tenor viol; Riki Or - tenor viol; Amit Tiefenbrunn – treble and bass viols; Marina Minkin – organ; Isidoro Roitman - lute.
Reviews
Jerusalem was the common denominator of 22 pieces ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century, presented by Ensemble PHOENIX directed by Myrna Herzog. There were many veritable gems in this selection, such as Renaissance and Baroque settings of "O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem" by William Child, John Blow and Charles King. Michal Okon stole the show with her lovely, clear soprano and her excellent voice culture. The ensemble's playing of period instruments was thoroughly professional and reliable.
Ury Eppstein, The Jerusalem Post, Israel
Track list
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
שאלו שלום ירושלים
1 – Anon c.1600 (tune Imperial) – O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
2 - Benjamin Rogers (1614-1698) - O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
3 - Henry Purcell (1659-1695) – Psalm 122 ("I was glad")
4 - Richard Mico (c.1590 - 1661) - Fantasia I
5 - Stefan Wolpe (1902-1972) – Psalm 122 (1954)
6 - David Feldman (b.1977) – Peace (1997)
7 - Charles King (1684-1748) - O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
8 - Tobias Hume (c. 1569 - 1645) – Death (1605)
9 - Tobias Hume - Life (1605)
10 - William Child (c.1606- 1697) - O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
11 - Anthony Holborne (1548?-1602) – Galliard: Wanton
12 - Richard Mico - Fantasia IV
13 - John Blow (1649-1708) - O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
14 - Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) – A sad pavan for these distracted times
15 - Thomas Tomkins - O pray for the peace of Jerusalem
16 - Anon. (c. 1600) – Fantasy
17 - John Ward (1571-1638) - Ayre
18 - John Ward – Ayre
19 - The Scottish Psalter (1650) - Pray that Jerusalem may have Peace
20 - Psalm 122
21 - The Scottish Psalter (1635) – Psalm 122