SSAA a cappella
6′
3rd prize at the Arrangement Competition of the German Choral Association 2025.
First performed on 30.5.2025 by the Moran Singers, conducted by Tom Karni.
Listen to the piece:
Evening Scene (Ba-halomi / Abendgrüße)
An Award-Winning Choral Piece of Nighttime Peace and Wonder
“Evening Scene” won 3rd Prize at the Arrangement Competition for the German-Jewish Songbook of 1912 (organized by the German Choral Association, Arche Musica, and Schott Music). It is an a cappella piece that weaves two beautiful folk songs into a single musical narrative.
The Music and the Story
The arrangement combines the Hebrew song Ba-halomi and the German song Abendgrüße, showing the evening from two different perspectives:
- The Child’s Dreamworld (Ba-halomi): A gentle, rocking movement in C minor, capturing a child falling asleep, surrounded by angels.
- The Parents’ Reflection (Abendgrüße): A warm shift into C major, reflecting the quiet, soothing calm of the night.
The piece moves from a rich, homophonic opening into a direct dialogue where the Altos sing the role of the child and the Sopranos embody the parents. It then builds into a simultaneous overlay of both melodies and finishes with a serene soprano solo.
Why it works for Choirs
- Stage Presence: Simple, built-in staging instructions and spatial movements help your choir bring the story to life visually.
- Accessible for Amateur Choirs: Despite its rich textures and interplay between minor and major keys, the clear voice-leading makes it highly rewarding and easy to learn.
- Cultural Depth: Created as part of a musical remembrance project, the piece highlights the historical connection between Hebrew and German tradition.
Lyrics & Translations
1. Abendgrüße (German)
Lyrics: A. Horwitz | Music: Louis Lewandowski
- German Original:
O du lieber, süßer Abend,
sei gegrüßt mit deiner Ruh’!
Laue Lüfte wehen labend
meiner Seele Frieden zu.O du liebe, stille Feier,
sei gegrüßt viel tausendmal;
lindernd legst du einen Schleier
auf des Herzens stille Qual.O ihr lieben, ihr Himmelssterne,
seid gegrüßt mit eurem Schein;
ach, mein Sehnen folgt euch ferne
in den Himmelssaal hinein.Und da droben fall ich nieder,
vor des Vaters Gnadenthron;
und es tönen Engelslieder:
„Sei gegrüßt, du Erdensohn!” - English Translation:
Oh you dear, sweet evening,
be greeted with your rest!
Mild breezes blow refreshingly,
bringing peace to my soul.Oh you dear, silent celebration,
be greeted many thousand times;
soothingly you place a veil
upon the heart’s quiet torment.Oh you dear stars of heaven,
be greeted with your shine;
ah, my longing follows you afar
into the celestial hall.And up there I fall down,
before the Father’s throne of grace;
and songs of angels resound:
“Be greeted, you son of earth!”
2. Ba-halomi (Hebrew Transliteration)
Lyrics: From “Ha-Zamir” | Music: Ben-Yehuda
- Hebrew Transliteration (as sung in the score):
Kol halayla kurvey ma’ala
‘amdu sviv mitati,
u-mangina me’od ‘adina
sharu li vishnati.
Hem hibkuni gam nishkuni
ve-hiva’al hametsah:
„Heye na yeled tov baheled,
az ne’ehavkah netsah!”
Ken diberu va-yshoreru
‘ad or yom hofia,
az kulamo ‘afu lamo
li-mrom harakia.
B’ad haloni or el ‘eni
shemesh paz sholeah,
u-mishnati hekitsoti
ra’anan zakh, sameach! - English Translation:
All night long, heavenly angels
stood around my bed,
and a very gentle melody
they sang to me in my sleep.
They embraced me and kissed me
upon my forehead:
“Be a good child in this world,
and we will love you forever!”
Thus they spoke and sang
until the light of day appeared,
then they all flew away
to the heights of the firmament.
Through my window, into my eyes,
the golden sun sends its light,
and from my sleep I awoke,
refreshed, pure, and happy!
