Osborne: Souls on Fire / Jacobson, Osborne, Nimoy, et al

Track Listings
1. Prologue    
2. Movement I: Israel Baal Shem Tov    
3. Movement II: Maggid of Mezeritch    
4. Movement III: Levi-Yitzchak of Berditchev    
5. Movement IV: Elimelekh of Lizensk    
6. Movement V: Israel of Rizhin    
7. Movement VI: Nahman of Bratzlav    
8. Movement VII: Menahem Mendel of Kotzk    
9. Epilogue    

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Souls On Fire by Charles Osborne Narrated by Leonard Nimoy

Hailed at its premiere in December 1998 as "stunning, impassioned and beautifully conceived," Souls On Fire is a full-length oratorio that tells the story of the founders of European Hassidism. Based on the book by Elie Wiesel, adapted by Aryeh Finklestein, this exciting new work "combines the sweep of a musical saga with the thoughtfulness of a highly personal composition."

Each musical movement of the work, describes the character in each movement. Charles Osborne has as a composer concentrated on Hassidic music and culture. Souls On Fire is the latest in a series of compositions that use Hassidic culture and folklore. As each musical story is told the listener becomes involved with original Hassidic prose, building a foundation of understanding and hopefully a sensation that will strengthen our lives. These Hassidic greats were truly "Souls On Fire".

What makes the oratorio "particularly impressive", writes one critic, "is the care with which the composer and librettist have succinctly drawn each portrait, and smoothly made transitions from one master to the next."

Souls On Fire burns brightly, "with the power of Wiesel’s insights, and the brilliance of a unique collaboration between composer and librettist."

Narrated by world renowned actor and director Leonard Nimoy, this recording also features the Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and four outstanding soloists from the Metropolitan and New York City Opera companies.

Written for orchestra, chorus, soloists, storyteller and narrators, the oratorio mingles the joy which is Hassidism with Wiesel’s memories of the Holocaust. The oratorio attempts to illumine the lives of the Hassidic movement, and thus Judaism, within the last two hundred and fifty years, in an effort to learn from their lives, thoughts, and times. In the oratorio, as in Dr. Wiesel’s book, the Holocaust becomes the gravitational lens through which we must necessarily view these lives, thoughts, and times.

Composer Charles Osborne blends the concept of the Hassidic relationships, Man and the Lord, Man and his Master, and Man to his surroundings in nine movements. The piece begins with a flowing prelude that introduces the seven Hassidic characters and concludes with an epilogue. The seven Hassidic characters are introduced in the chronological order of Besht (Baal Shem Tov) Hassidus.

Osborne: Souls on Fire / Jacobson, Osborne, Nimoy, et al, Music, Charles D. Osborne, Classical, Hailed at its premiere in December 1998 as "stunning, impassioned and beautifully conceived," Souls On Fire is a full-length oratorio that tells the story of the founders of European Hassidism. Based on the book by Elie Wiesel, adapted by Aryeh Finklestei, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio
Osborne: Souls on Fire / Jacobson, Osborne, Nimoy, et al
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Compelling
  • Outstanding new work
Osborne: Souls on Fire / Jacobson, Osborne, Nimoy, et al
Osborne , Thorpe , Ohlson , Garrison , and Jacobson
Manufacturer: Z.C. Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Spoken WordSpoken Word | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004NKHK
Release Date: 2000-05-26

Tracks:

  1. Prologue
  2. Movement I: Israel Baal Shem Tov
  3. Movement II: Maggid of Mezeritch
  4. Movement III: Levi-Yitzchak of Berditchev
  5. Movement IV: Elimelekh of Lizensk
  6. Movement V: Israel of Rizhin
  7. Movement VI: Nahman of Bratzlav
  8. Movement VII: Menahem Mendel of Kotzk
  9. Epilogue

Album Description

Souls On Fire by Charles Osborne Narrated by Leonard Nimoy

Hailed at its premiere in December 1998 as "stunning, impassioned and beautifully conceived," Souls On Fire is a full-length oratorio that tells the story of the founders of European Hassidism. Based on the book by Elie Wiesel, adapted by Aryeh Finklestein, this exciting new work "combines the sweep of a musical saga with the thoughtfulness of a highly personal composition."

Each musical movement of the work, describes the character in each movement. Charles Osborne has as a composer concentrated on Hassidic music and culture. Souls On Fire is the latest in a series of compositions that use Hassidic culture and folklore. As each musical story is told the listener becomes involved with original Hassidic prose, building a foundation of understanding and hopefully a sensation that will strengthen our lives. These Hassidic greats were truly "Souls On Fire".

What makes the oratorio "particularly impressive", writes one critic, "is the care with which the composer and librettist have succinctly drawn each portrait, and smoothly made transitions from one master to the next."

Souls On Fire burns brightly, "with the power of Wiesel's insights, and the brilliance of a unique collaboration between composer and librettist."

Narrated by world renowned actor and director Leonard Nimoy, this recording also features the Bulgarian National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and four outstanding soloists from the Metropolitan and New York City Opera companies.

Written for orchestra, chorus, soloists, storyteller and narrators, the oratorio mingles the joy which is Hassidism with Wiesel's memories of the Holocaust. The oratorio attempts to illumine the lives of the Hassidic movement, and thus Judaism, within the last two hundred and fifty years, in an effort to learn from their lives, thoughts, and times. In the oratorio, as in Dr. Wiesel's book, the Holocaust becomes the gravitational lens through which we must necessarily view these lives, thoughts, and times.

Composer Charles Osborne blends the concept of the Hassidic relationships, Man and the Lord, Man and his Master, and Man to his surroundings in nine movements. The piece begins with a flowing prelude that introduces the seven Hassidic characters and concludes with an epilogue. The seven Hassidic characters are introduced in the chronological order of Besht (Baal Shem Tov) Hassidus.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Compelling.......2000-02-15

This CD is great! It caught my attention right away and I couldn't stop listening. A must-buy for anyone interested in Hassidism and Jewish spirituality.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding new work.......2000-01-30

The music is superb, and I want to especially recommend the brilliant librettist.

Highly recommended.

Music Track:

  1. Poulenc: Piano Music, Vol. 3
  2. Primavera
  3. Prokofiev & Shostakovich: Cello Sonatas
  4. Read: Toccata Giocosa/Night Flight/Symphony No.4/Los Dioses Aztecas
  5. Recital de Guitarra, Vol. 2 [Live]
  6. Reger: Aus meinem Tagebuch, Op. 82
  7. Rhodes: Visions Of Rememberance/Museum Pieces/Autumn Setting/Divertimento
  8. Rote Rosen
  9. Schubert: Fantasias
  10. Shostakovch: Piano Trios/Seven Songs

Music Track

music track

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