Poems and Prayers

Poems and Prayers is Mohammed Fairouz's third symphony. It sets texts in Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew for choir, solo voices and orchestra and explores the Arab-Israeli Conflict.^[1] The symphony was commissioned by the Middle East Center for Peace, Culture and Development at Northeastern University.^[2] It was completed in 2010.^[2]

The symphony is scored orchestra, a mixed choir and two soloists (mezzo-soprano and baritone).^[2]

Woodwinds

2 Flutes

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets

2 Bassoons

Brass

4 French Horns in F

2 Trumpets

3 Trombones

Percussion

Voices

Mezzo-Soprano Solo

Baritone

Mixed Chorus

Strings

Harp

First and Second Violins

Violas

Violoncellos

Double basses (with low C extension).

The piece consists of four movements and two interludes:^[3]

• I. Kaddish
• II. Lullaby
• Minyan
• III. Night Fantasy
• Oseh Shalom
• IV. Memorial Day for the War Dead

Poems and Prayers lasts 60 minutes.^[2] The symphony sets poetry by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai alongside Palestinian poets Mahmoud Darwish and Fadwa Tuqan against the backdrop of the Kaddish,.^[1][4]

The work was given its world premiere at Columbia University's Miller Theatre.^[4]

A recording of Poems And Prayers was released together with Fairouz's clarinet concerto "Tahrir" on the Sono Luminus record label in May 2014. ^[5]

• "NPR: Three Poetic Traditions Inspire a Mideast Symphony", NPR.
• "Poems and Prayers webpage", Poems and Prayers Page.