Yoni Fogelman - The Song of Miriam; Seraphour (Official Video)

Notes from the composer..
The inspiration for The Song of Miriam (in Hebrew, Ha’Shir Shel Miryam) began with a flattering request by the Seraphour Quartet to compose a new piece of vocal music. They were aware of my Jewish background, and asked if I would write a piece in Hebrew about the Biblical character Miriam; I quickly said yes.
Miriam is directly mentioned only four times throughout the Torah (the five books of Moses), but each appearance is particularly meaningful. As a young girl, she watches over her baby brother Moses as he drifts down the Nile River in their mother’s basket. Later, she leads the Hebrew women in song as they walk through the Red Sea in celebration. Further into the desert, Miriam gossips about Moses, and she is punished by God with leprosy and forced to quarantine outside of the community. Finally, Miriam’s death is inscribed into the Torah, followed by the drying up of the Hebrews’ source of water, Miriam’s magical well.
Most of the Hebrew text I set to music comes from Miriam’s second appearance, when she unites the women in celebration of their freedom from slavery and victory over the Egyptians. Throughout the piece, each member of Seraphour is called upon to embody the strength and holiness of Miriam the Prophet, and eventually all four women sing together in harmony Chol hanashim im Miryam haniviah - “All of the women with Miriam the prophetess.” -Yoni Fogelman January 2023

[@gilbertbloomer586]

How wonderful!

[@southhillschildrenschoir5393]

Very moving and inspirational! Love it!

[@seraphour]

Thank you :)