Itamar Zorman Playing an Encore

Today was the tenth annual “Harmony from Discord “ concert of our local symphony. These concerts are about music that transcends oppression and shines a light on composers whose music has endured through the darkest times throughout the globe. Today’s concert began with a contemporary piece by Kenji Bunch, a composer from Oregon. It’s called “Supermaximum” which is the highest level of imprisonment in the US. It combined the rhythms of chain gangs and melodies that echoed the music sung by slaves and prisoners. Then Israeli violinist Itamar Zorman played “Concert Piece for Violin and Orchestra” by Henriette Bosmans in the 1930s. Her music was banned because she was Jewish and almost disappeared. I loved the piece and Zorman’s playing was so moving. The concert ended with the Faure Requiem which I’ve sung so i mentally sang along. What a great concert.