Shalom Rav
Text: Jewish evening liturgy
Cyndi Richards, solo obligato
On November 4, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was cruelly assassinated. When we heard the news in Omaha, the response was to hold a memorial service and peace vigil three days later with the entire Omaha Jewish community. I was invited to sing a Shalom Rav during the service. Because most of the musical settings for this text (which were written in major modes) sounded much too hopeful, I wanted to express the sadness of Rabin’s vision of hope and peace crushed with his untimely demise.
I wrote the melody for this piece with the intent of creating a work which was somewhat difficult to sing—in a minor key and having a melodic line which sat right in my passaggio. The line also ends on the fifth of the scale rather than resting on tonic. This was intended to illustrate Rabin’s incomplete work and our need to rally to the cause to bring peace to all peoples in the Middle East.
Not too long after that memorial service, I invited my friend Bonia Shur to arrange the work for cantor and three part choir. He really helped shape the piece and create the mood I ultimately wanted to express.
Abundant peace on Your people Israel may You eternally extend, for You are the great Ruler of all peace. May it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel, every waking moment of every day with Your peace. Praised are You, Adonai, the One Who blesses the people Israel with peace.
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
