ZIKR
10′ – 2003
for choir
Zikr
Commissioned and premiered in May 2003 in Gand then in Amsterdam by the Flemish ensemble Ex Tempore and Fadia Tomb el Hage. Zikr, inspired by Selva Morale by Monteverdi, crosses several vocal traditions: from the start of lyrical art, sensual polyphonies of this period, to the Byzantine chant. The women’s voices become a moaning complaint, an echo of the Mediterranean mourners. These “lamentations” start a slow transformation, expand until they end in a rupture, a revolt taking the form of a dance and stirring the pagan background that survives in us. A bass drum, this recurring element in Zad Moultaka’s work, marks the pace of this elevation that inpowers between rebellion and prayer.
A Tribute to Gerard Veley
set
mixed choir, solo contralto, 1 oboe-English horn, 1 clarinet in si, 1cor in F, 1 trombone, 1 piano (with wooden pencils inside), 1 percussion, 1 violin, 1 viola, 1 cello
percussions
1 bass drum, 3 blades
original version
2S / 2A / 2T / 2B, 1 solo contralto, 1 soprano recorder, 1 alto recorder, 1 accordion, 1 harpsichord, 1 percussion 1 symphonic bass drum, 3 Fa dieze 6 xylophone blades, Fa becare 7, Sol b7
original version for contralto, choir and baroque ensemble
Text: Audi Celum, Latin hymnography
Singing language: Latin
Premiere: April 24, 2003 in Gand, Belgium and May 17, 2003
Place: Amsterdam, Pays Bas
By: Fadia Tomb el-Hage and the Ex Tempore – Direction Florian Heyerick.
Commissioned by the Ex Tempore. 2003
new version for contralto, chorus and instrumental ensemble:
Premiere: December 3, 2004
Place: Festival of the 38th Rugissants, Grenoble, France
By: Fadia Tomb el-Hage, Ars Nova, instrumental ensemble and les elements chamber choir – conductor Philippe Nahon.
© ŠamaŠ éditions musicales 2004
