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SHIRU L'ADONAI is composed with Hebrew and English text by Robert James Dvorak for SATB Choir and Piano with Flute, Mixed Brass Quintet (Bb Trumpet 2, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba) and Celeste. English text is by Ben Landsmen. Duration: 2:40
Instrumental Set of Parts is available separately from the publisher (AP-01526 Pts).
From The Robert James Dvorak Choral Series.
Background Notes are in the Resources tab.
Shiru L'Adonai ("Sing to the Lord a New Song") (score5094.pdf, 129 Kb) [Download]
Background Notes
While visiting his friend, William Ballard, Music Director at the North Shore Congregation Israel Temple in Glencoe, Illinois, Robert Dvorak attended a choir rehearsal which Ballard was conducting. At the time, Ballard was also the director of the Northwestern University’s A Cappella Choir. Fascinated with the exotic religious music being written primarily by contemporary Jewish composers for temple services, Dvorak joined the choir’s bass section. Later on, Ballard called upon Dvorak, his composer-choir member, to write the music for a special ceremony to open the doors of a beautiful new temple building on May 22, 1964 built on the shore of Lake Michigan. The piece was called “Seu Sheorim” [Lift up your heads, O ye the gates]. Not long afterwards Rabbi Edgar E. Siskin commissioned Dvorak to write “Songs of Deliverance”, a cantata based on the biblical texts of the songs of Moses, Miriam and Aaron for mixed choir, orchestra and narrator. The premiere performance took place in the new North Shore Congregation Israel Temple. Performing organizations were the NCI Choir, the Northwestern A Cappella Choir and the Chicago Civic Orchestra with William Ballard conducting.
Dvorak continued to contribute orginal music for this choir of non-professional congregation members and professional singers. Although both he and Ballard were Gentiles, they enjoyed the comraderie and appreciation of the congregation as well as their intriguing music.
When Ballard retired to accept a new position, Rabbi Siskin requested Robert Dvorak to assume Ballard’s post. At the time, Dvorak was in a demanding position as Fine Arts Director in the J. S. Morton School complex in Cicero-Berwyn, Illinois. However, he was enticed by the accompanying compensation and new creative music opportunities to accept this additional position. “Grant Unto Us Peace and “O Seh Shalom” as well as “Shiru L’Adonai” and “Sing to the Lord” were written in those days that followed in 1973 with the expertise afforded by Rabbi Edgar Siskin, Harold Kudan, and the Temple’s beloved Cantor, Ben Landis, who guided him in translations and interpretation of the Hebrew text.