From around the world
Milwaukee Symphony: Shohat Songs of Bathsheba
Lawrence Hansen | American Record Guide | July/August 2005
Standing ovations are not unusual these days–almost any symphony or concerto with a blockbuster finale brings an audience to its feet now–but they are not at all common for large-scale 50-minute choral works written in 2003-04. Even so, Israeli composer Gil Shohat deserved the one he was given at the premiere of his new oratorio, Songs of Bathsheba Sharing the glory were conductor John Nelson, soprano Twyla Robinson, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
Shohat is a young man with something to say–and it’s worth hearing. He has created a vivid, moving, powerful, and (most important) memorable vehicle for conveying the message that melodic beauty and emotions like love, hatred, jealousy, and remorse are timeless… He speaks with his own resonant voice.
He also makes no apology for writing in a rich, direct, melodic, late-romantic style. The audience at both the premiere and the following night’s repeat responded to it with spontaneous, vocal enthusiasm.
A powerful new work by a brilliant young composer and the work of a master sounding fresh and new–it was a night that even the most jaded concert-goer couldn’t forget.