Josef Tal
Josef Tal was born Joseph
Gruenthal on September 18, 1910 in Pinne (now Poland). Tal's teachers at
the Staatliche Akademische Hochschule fuer Musik in Berlin included
Tiessen, Trapp, Hindemith, Sachs, Kreutzer and Saal. He emigrated to Eretz
Israel in 1934 and taught composition and piano at the
Jerusalem Academy
of Music. He was Director of the Academy from 1948 until 1952. In 1965
he joined the faculty of Hebrew University and eventually became head of
the musicology department.
Numerous among Tal's works
were written on biblical subject or were influenced by the Bible or were
based on epic events in Jewish history. However,
in style, Tal remained faithful to his European background and was not
affected by the trends which dominated most Israeli compositions
in the 1940s and 1950s which, in the main, were based either on the folklore
of the various Jewish communities
in Israel or on the Eastern musical traditions of the region (the maqam).
By that time, Tal was already deep into writing12-tone
music and with the passing years, his use of the dodecaphonic elements
became less and less constrained.
The many honours bestowed
upon him include a UNESCO grant for the study of electronic music, the
State of Israel Prize (1971), Art Prize of the
City of Berlin (1975), the Wolff Prize, Israel (1983), Verdienstkreuz I
Klasse, Germany (1984), Commandeur de l'Ordre des
Arts et des Lettres, France (1985), Johann Wenzel Stamitz Prize, Germany
(1995).
List of Works
Brass
Unaccompanied Trombone
and Duos Including Trombone
-
Duo (1989) for trb & hp
IMI 6795
Unaccompanied Tuba
or Euphonium and Duos Including Tuba or Euphonium
-
Movement (1980) for tuba &
pno IMI 6274
Music for Ensembles with Brass
Instrument(s) or Solo Brass Instrument with Orchestra
-
Fanfare (1968) for 3 tpts &
3 trbs IMI 6609R
Chamber Music
-
Woodwind Quintet (1966) IMI
110
-
Trio (1974) for pno, vla &
vcl IMI 275
-
Shape (1975) for fl, ob, cl,
bn, tpt, 2 hns, trb, perc(1) & str qnt IMI 432
-
Backyard (1977) Choreographic
scene for fl/pic, hn, perc(1), pno, vla, vcl & MagT IMI 6093R
-
Piano Quartet (1982) IMI 6349
-
Imago (1982) for f1/pic, ob/ehn,
cl/b-cl, t-sax, bn, tpt, hn, trb, tuba, perc(2) & str qrt IMI 6383
-
Chamber Music (1982) for s-rec,
mar & hpd IMI 6490
-
Fanfare (1968) for 3 tpts &
3 trbs IMI 6609R
-
String Quartet No. 1 (1959)
IMI 6621
-
String Quartet No. 2 (1964)
IMI 052
-
String Quartet No. 3 (1976)
IMI 6068
-
String Quartet No. 3 shortened
ver from the opera "Der Turm" (1987) IMI 6068A
-
Quartet (1994) for t-sax, vln,
vla & vcl IMI 6993
Music for Choir and Orchestra
-
Succoth Cantata (1955) for S,A,T,B,
mixed choir & ChO IMI 008
Orch: 1,0,0,1 - 2,0,0,0, perc(1) & str
-
The Death of Moses (1967) Requiem
for A,T,B, mixed choir, mag tape & ChO IMI 127
Text: Y. Ya'ari
Orch: 1/pic,1/ehn,1/b-cl,1 - 1,0,0,0, perc(2),cel,hp & str
-
Parade of the Fallen (1968)
Cantata for S, Bar, mixed choir & SO IMI 135
Text: H .Hefer
Orch: 2,2,ehn,2,b-cl,2 - 2,2,2,1, timp,perc(1), 2 hps,2 pnos & str
-
With All Thy Soul (1978) Cantata
for 3 S,Bar, equal voices boys' choir, mixed choir & orch IMI 6162
Orch: 0,0,0,0 - 4,3,3,1, 8 vcls & 4 dbs
Choral Music
-
The Wooden Horse (1975) for
4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir & MagT IMI 330
-
Dream of the Circles (1985)
for Bar, mixed choir, b-cl, hn, t-sax & vla IMI 6528
-
Touch a Place (1987) for solo
voice and 3-part equal voices choir a cappella IMI 6583
Music for Unaccompanied Harp
and Duets Including Harp
-
Structure (1962) IMI 019
-
Concerto (1971/1980) for hp
& elec IMI 192
-
Lament (1950) for vcl &
hp IMI 6619
-
Intrada (1959) IMI 6628
- Hora (1949) for vcl &
hp
-
Duo (1989) for trb & hp
IMI 6795
-
Dispute (1989) IMI 6820
Keyboard Music
Music for Piano
-
Dodecaphonic Episodes (1962)
IMI 040
-
Concerto No. 5 (for pno &
el) (1964) IMI 068
-
Concerto No. 6 (for pno &
el) (1970) IMI 164
-
Five Densities (1975) IMI 449
-
Essay I (1986) IMI 6598
-
Cum mortuis in lingua mortua
(1945) IMI 6607
-
Three Pieces (1937) IMI 6611
-
Chaconne (1936) IMI 6612
-
Six Sonnets (1946) IMI 6625
-
Sonata (1950) IMI 6626
-
Five Inventions (1956) IMI 6627
-
Essay II (1988) IMI 6793
-
Essay III (1989) IMI 6818
-
Essay IV (1979/1997) IMI 7140
-
Four Essays (1986-1997) IMI
7096
Music for Piano 4-hands or 6-hands
-
A Tale in Four Parts (1988)
IMI 6711
Music for Harpsichord and for
Harpsichord with Instrumental Ensemble
-
Concerto (1964/1977) for hpd
& el IMI 069
-
Chamber Music (1983) for s-rec,
marimba & hpd IMI 6490
Music for Organ
-
Salve Venia (1983) IMI 6489
Music for Keyboard and Orchestra
-
Concerto (1980) for 2 pnos &
SO IMI 6201
Orch: pic, 2,2,2,2, dbn - 4,3,2,1, timp, perc(4), cel, hp & str
-
Piano Concerto No. 2 (1953)
for pno & ChO IMI 6577
Orch: 1/pic, 2,2,2, - 2,2,0,0, perc(2) & str
-
Concerto No. 3 (1956) for T,
pno & ChO IMI 6616
2,2/ehn, 2/b-cl, 1, - 2,1,0,0, timp, perc(3), cel, hp, & str
Music for Percussion
-
Song (1971) for Bar (or A),
fl, hn, 2 tom-toms & pno IMI 222
-
Backyard (1977) Choreographic
scene for fl/pic, hn, perc(1), pno, vla, vcl & MagT IMI 6093
-
Chamber Music (1982) for s-rec,
mar & hpd 6490
Music for StringsUnaccompanied Violin(s) and
Duets Including Violin
-
Sonata (1952) for vln &
pno IMI 6620
Music for Unaccompanied Viola(s)
and Duets Including Viola
-
Duo (1965) for vla & pno
079
-
Suite (1940) IMI 6525
-
Sonata (1960) for vla &
pno IMI 6622
-
Perspective (1996) IMI 7066
Music for Unaccompanied Violoncello
and Duets Including Violoncello
-
Treatise (1973) IMI 285
-
In Memoriam of a Dear Friend
(1985) IMI 6561
-
Lament (1950) for vcl &
hp IMI 6619
-
Festive Prelude (1949) IMI 6629
-
Die Hand (1987) Dramatic scene
for S & vc lMI 6659
Solo String Instruments with
Orchestra
-
Double Concerto (1970) for vln,
vcl & ChO IMI 158
(2,2,2,2 - 2,1,0,0, perc(1) & str)-
Concerto (1961) for vcl &
StrO IMI 007
-
Concerto (1954) for vla &
ChO IMI 6631
(2/pic, 2,2,2 - 2,2,0,0, perc(1) & str)
Music for Symphony Orchestra
-
Dance of the Events (1981/86)
IMI 6324
Orch: pic,2,2,3,a-sax,2
- 4,3,3,1, timp,perc(4),cel,hp,pno
-
Symphonic Fanfare (1986) IMI
6573
Orch: pic,2,2,3,2 - 4,4,3,1,
perc(5) & str
-
Festive Vision (1959) IMI 6624
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,3,b-cl,2
- 3,3,3,1, timp,perc(2),cel,2 hps,pno & str
-
Symphony No. 1 (1953) IMI 6613
Orch: pic,2,2/ehn,2/b-cl,2
- 4,3,3,1, timp,perc(1),hp & str
-
Symphony No. 2 (1960) IMI 6614
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,2,b-cl,2,dbn
- 4,3,3,1, timp,perc(3),cel,hn,pno & str
-
Symphony No. 3 (1978) IMI 6172
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,2,b-cl,2,dbn
- 4,3,3,1, perc(5),hp & str
-
Symphony No. 4 "Jubilee" (1985)
IMI 6558
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,3,b-cl,t-sax,2
- 4,3,3,1, perc(5),cel,2 hps & str
-
Symphony No. 5 (1991) IMI 6875
Orch: pic/a-fl,2,2,ehn,3/b-cl,a-sax,2
- 4,3,3,1, timp,perc(4),2 hps & str
-
Symphony No. 6 (1991) IMI 6910
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,2/b-cl,2
- 4,3,3,1, timp,perc(2) & str
Music for Voice(s)
Music for Unaccompanied
Solo Voice(s) and Solo Voice(s) with One Instrument
-
My Child (1975) for S &
cl IMI 364
-
Scene (1982) for S or T (to
be acted) IMI 6164
-
Drei Lieder der Ruhe (1936)
for S & pno IMI 6655
-
Die Hand (1987) dramatic scene,
for S vcl IMI 6659
-
Schlichtheit (1997) for Bar
IMI 7134
Music for Voice(s)
with Instrumental Ensemble (2-15 instruments)
-
Song (1971) for Bar or A, fl,
hn, 2 tom-toms & pno IMI 222
-
Else - Hommage (1975) Chamber
scene for Mez, narr, hn, pno, vla & Vcl IMI 383
-
Wars Swept Through Here (1991)
for Bar, fl/pic, ehn, cl, t-sax, hn, tpt, trb, tuba, perc(1), pno, vla
& vcl IMI 6885
-
Wars Swept Through Here (1991)
for Bar, fl/pic, ehn, cl, t-sax, hn, tpt, trb, tuba, perc(1), pno, vla
& vcl IMI 6900
Music for Solo Voice(s)
and Orchestra
-
Exodus I (1946) for Bar &
SO IMI 6610
Orch: pic, 2,2,ehn, 2, b-cl, 2, dbn, - 4,3,3,1, timp, perc, cel ad lib,
hp & str
-
Concerto No. 3 (1956) for T,
pno & ChO IMI 6616
Orch: 2, 2/ehn, 2/b-cl, 1, - 2,1,0,0, timp, perc(3), cel, hp & str
-
Saul at Ein Dor (1955) Opera
concertante for Mez, T, Bar, narr & ChO IMI 6617
Orch: 1/pic, 0, ehn, 0,0, - 2,1,0,0, timp, perc, pno & str
Music for Woodwinds
Music for Unaccompanied
and Duo Works for Flute(s)
- Duo (1953) for 2 fls IMI
6623
Music for Recorder(s)
- Chamber Music (1983) for
s-rec, marimba & hpd IMI 6490
Unaccompanied and Duo Works
for Oboe(s) and English horn
- Sonata (1952) for ob &
pno IMI 6608
- Duo (1992) for ob &
ehn IMI 6956
Music for Solo Woodwinds
with Orchestra
-
Concerto (1977) for fl &
ChO IMI 6082
(Orch: pic, 0,0, ehn, 0, b-cl, 0, - 1,1,1,0 & str)-
Concerto (1980) for cl &
ChO: hn & str IMI 6273
Opera and Ballet Music
-
Ashmedai (1968), opera in 2
acts (16 scenes) for 2 S, Mez, 6T, 5 Bar, 2B, mixed choir, mag tape &
SO IMI 109
Libretto: Israel Eliraz
(H)
Trans: Alan Marbe (E); Jacob
Mittelmann (G)
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,3,b-cl,2,dbn
4,3,3,1, timp,perc(3),accordeon,cel,hp,pno & str
(Commissioned by the Hamburg
State Opera, Germany)
-
Variations (1970), electronic
music for ballet IMI 212
-
Massada 967 (1972), opera in
15 scenes for 3 S, 2 A, 8 T, 6 Bar, 2 boy S, narr, 2-part mens choir (BarB)
& mag tape IMI 240
Libretto: Israel Eliraz
(H)
Trans: Alan Marbe (E); T.
Rivner (G)
(Commissioned by NCCA for
the Israel Festival 1973 and the 25th Independence Anniversary celebrations
of the state of Israel)
-
The Temptation (1975), opera
in 2 acts for , 6 T, 4 Bar, B, mixed choir, mag tape & SO IMI 292
Libretto: Israel Eliraz
(H)
Trans: Jacob Mittelmann
(G) & (E)
Orch: pic,2,2,ehn,3,b-cl,a-sax,t-sax,2,d-bn
4,3,3,1, timp, perc(6), cel,hp,pno,hpd,gui & str
(Commissioned by the Bavarian
State Opera Munich, Germany)
-
Backyard (1977), music for ballet
for fl/pic,hn,perc(1),pno,vla,vcl & mag tape
Scenario: Israel Eliraz
-
Der Turm (The Tower) (1983),
opera in 2 acts (12 scenes) for 3 S, Mez, 7 T, 4 Bar, 3 B, 5 narr, mixed
choir, mag tape & SO IMI 6453
Libretto: Hans Keller (G)
Orch: s-rec,pic,2,a-fl,2,ehn,3,b-cl,s-sax,2,dbn
4,3,3,1, timp,perc(6), amplified hpd, pno & str
-
Der Garten (The Garden) (1987),
chamber opera in 7 scenes, prologue & intermezzo for S, T, narr &
inst ens IMI 6582
Libretto: Israel Eliraz
(H)
Trans: Abraham Kadima (G)
Orch: 1/pic/a-fl,1/ehn,1/s-cl/b-hn,s-s-t-saxs,0
1,0,0,1, perc(1) & vcl
(Ed by W Y Elias; Commissioned
by the Hamburg State Opera, Germany)
-
Josef (1993), opera in 2 actsfor
2 T, 2 S, Mez, 2 Bar, B, mixed choir & SO IMI 6970
Libretto: Israel Eliraz
(H,G)
Orch: pic,2,2/ehn,3/b-cl,s-t-saxs,2
4,3,3,1, perc(3), cel, hp & str
Theatre Music