Boris Pigovat (b.1953, Odessa, USSR) studied at the Gnessin Music Institute (Academia
of Music) in Moscow. Between 1978 and 1990 he lived in Tadjikistan.
In 1988 he won the special distinction diploma at the International Composers
Competition in Budapest for his composition "Musica dolorosa No. 2" for Trombone
quartet. Boris Pigovat immigrated to Israel in 1990.
In 1995 he got the Prize of
ACUM (Israeli ASCAP) for his composition Requiem “The Holocaust”.
In 2000 he got the prize of Prime Minister of State of Israel. In 2002 he
received his Ph.D. degree from Bar-Ilan University (Israel). Many of his works
have been performed throughout the world.
His composition "Massada" took place
at ISCM "World music days 2000" festival in Luxembourg and at WASBE 2003
CONFERENCE in Jönköping (Sweden).
The world premiere of Requiem “The Holocaust” for Viola & Symphony Orchestra
took place at the Memorial evening dedicated to the Babi Yar tragedy (Kiev,
2.10.2001, soloist – Rainer Moog).
The symphonic picture “Wind of Yemen” was
performed at the Asian Music Festival 2003 in Tokyo.
Two of his pieces was
performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall: “Prayer” and “Song of the Sea” (world
premiere, 2005). He got 2005 ACUM Prize for “Song of the Sea”.
Among his works are: Oratorio "Eichah" ("Jeremiah's Lamentations") for narrator, soprano, chorus & symphony orchestra(2001); Requiem “The Holocaust” for viola & symphony orchestra (1994-1995); Symphony No.1 "Memorial" for symphony orchestra (1987); Symphony No. 2 for string orchestra (1989/90); "Musica Dolorosa" for chamber orchestra (1987); "Jerusalem" - Fantasia for symphony orchestra (1993); "Tachanun" ("Supplication") for symphony orchestra (1996); "Massada" - Poem for symphonic wind band (1997); "Wind of Yemen" - Picture for symphonic wind band (2000); “Dies Irae” - Poem for symphonic wind band (2001); “Dedicated to M. Chagall” - Jewish Rhapsody for symphonic wind band (2003); “On Mount Sinai” – Poem for symphonic wind band (2004); “Song of the Sea” – Poem for symphonic wind band (2005); “Four Fairy-Tales” for symphonic wind band (2005),"Nigun" for string orchestra (1996); "Toccata" for string orchestra (1997); “5th Jeremiah’s Lamentation” for string orchestra (2000); "Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" for violin & symphony orchestra (1997); “Dedicated to M. Chagall” – Jewish Rhapsody for chamber orchestra (2002) ; Trio for violin, violoncello & piano (1976); Sonata for violin and piano (1980); Sonata for piano (1988); "By the Rivers of Babylon" for mixed a-cappella choir (1991); “Prayer” for violin (or viola) & piano (1994); "Shulamit" for flute, bassoon & harp (1996); "The Wandering Stars" for harp (1996).