About the creation

Prayer for strings was composed in 1961. After re-working it in 1969, I dedicated it in its new form to Fannie and Max Targ of Chicago, who contributed in so many ways towards the fostering of music in Israel.

The work is composed of three main sections: a meditative, prayer-like mood pervades the first and third, whereas in the middle section the flow of movement increases, transforming the prayer into an ecstatic dance. The texture of this section is woven out of rhythmic martellato passages alternating with others of a polyphonic-fugal nature. Interposed here are also short passages which revert to the quieter atmosphere of the prayer. The hushed ending of the work brings with it a feeling of calm and reconciliation.

The piece was first performed in Israel in 1962 by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra IBA, conducted by Gary Bertini. Since then, it has been performed many times in Israel and abroad by professional orchestras as well as by youth orchestras.

Tzvi Avni