Paul Ben-Haim: The Oratorio Joram and the Jewish Identity of a Composer

Authors

  • Liran Gurkiewicz Author

Keywords:

Paul Ben-Haim, Israeli Music, Oratorio, Jewish Identity

Abstract

The Joram oratorio for mixed choir, soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass was Paul Ben- Haim’s last large-scale composition. Written in Munich in 1931-33, prior to the composer’s escape from Nazi Germany and immigration to Israel (Palestine), the oratorio was, in Ben-Haim’s own view, his magnum opus. A difficult and challenging work, Joram was first performed almost half a century later, in 1979, under the baton of Aharon Harlap, and even then only partially and not in its original German. 

Author Biography

  • Liran Gurkiewicz

    Liran Gurkiewicz holds a BA and MA in Musicology from Tel Aviv University. He is currently a PhD candidate at Bar-Ilan University. His research focuses on Paul Ben-Haim's orchestral music under Prof. Michael Wolpe's and Prof. Ethan Haimo's supervision. His research deals with Ben-Haim's Jewish identity and stylistical devices in orchestral works, emphasizing the continuity between Ben-Haim's later works from Germany to major Israeli works to come. Gurkiewicz has participated in the 2011 Israel Musicological Society conference, and as well as the SOAS/University of London conference 'Art Musics of Israel' in London. He is also a freelance journalist.

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Published

2025-01-23

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Articles