Meditation on Kol Nidrei

commissioned by the Cassatt String Quartet
Doubt, confusion, an inner repentance – these were the themes I tried to work with in creating my “Meditation” on this most solemn prayer, recited on the Jewish day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. In my composition, the traditionally familiar motifs are fragmented, inverted, and fused together in a way that is connected by question marks. Will we be forgiven? What did we do wrong?
Traditionally, the “Kol Nidrei” is a prayer recited three times — and similarly, in my piece, there are several elements that develop over three repetitions or three phrases — for example, the opening melody in the cello unfolds over three statements.
The premiere performance of “Meditation on Kol Nidrei” took place at an Erev Yom Kippur service in Odessa, Texas, featuring the Cassatt Quartet. I’m very grateful to them for the commission — and this incredible treasure of a recorded performance.

CATEGORY	chamber music
INSTRUMENTATION	string quartet
DURATION	approximately 7 minutes
WORLD PREMIERE	September 18, 2018 Congregation Beth El, Odessa TX
WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS	Cassatt String Quartet
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES	the video above!
RECORDING	Recorded by the Cassatt String Quartet in the video above.
SCORE AVAILABILITY	A Perusal PDF score is available on request (contact Ljova). Parts and arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info]