David Solomons

singer, one-man choir, guitarist and composer

23 Apr 2012
Hora ha Kulmus (Dance of the quill) for reed trio
Hora Ha-Kulmus Dance of the Quill (revised version) composed by David W Solomons for the reed trio Calamus (oboe, clarinet and bassoon

Score and parts avaialble here


הורה

הקולמוס

(this recording is an electronic preview, but a live performance is anticipated soon)

The reed (Arundo Donax) is a humble but versatile plant. The writing implement - the reed quill was used in ancient days, before the feather quill, for writing, and is still used in instances where softness, flexibility and humility are required.

(Chazal (the sages of the time 200 BCE to 600 CE) say that, to write a Sefer Torah (a handwritten copy of the five first books of the Bible), one must not use a quill from a cedar tree that stands tall and arrogant, rather a quill from a reed which is soft, flexible and humble.)

It is also used for the reeds of musical instruments, hence the title of this piece.

 

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