The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West did a virtual performance last week to help lift spirits amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Cohen, the orchestra’s artistic director and chief conductor, and the 35 musicians he worked with recorded a new original piece called “Darbuka la Corona” from their homes in Israel and New York. The almost 3-minute clip featured the musicians in various parts of their home and even outside.

תזמורת ירושלים מזרח ומערב – דרבוקה לקורונה – Darbuka La Corona – دربوكا لا كورونا

בוקר אחד בתוך השבוע הראשון של טירוף הקורונה הזה, הבנתי פתאום שזו הפעם הראשונה מזה 11 שנים שאני (וכמוני החברות והחברים שלי לתזמורת) לא מתעורר לחזרות, קונצרטים, עיבודים, הלחנה ושאר פעילות יצירתית ומוזיקלית שזכינו שתהיה שגרת חיינו היום יומית. כשהבנתי שקבוצת הווטסאפ של התזמורת, ממשיכה להיות תוססת ופעילה – מיד התיישבתי לעשות את הדבר היחיד שאני יודע…כתבתי יצירה קטנה שמטרתה לשמח, לחבר ולהציג את האהבה והמשפחתיות אצלנו שיותר חזקות מהכל. רציתי שתהיה גם פשוטה מאוד וגם ממזרית, גבוהה אבל בגובה העיניים, גם בית האופרה וגם בית הכנסת – בדיוק כמונו… והנה היא לפניכם – ״דרבוקה לקורונה״… מקווה שהצלילים והמראות האלו, של כל 35 חברי התזמורת, ללא הבדלי גיל, דת, מין או מוצא – ממג׳דל כרום בצפון לאשקלון שבדרום, מירושלים ועד לניו יורק – חוגגים ביחד אהבה וגעגוע לחברות ולמוסיקה, יעזרו לכולנו באשר נהיה, לעבור את התקופה הזו ביחד.תום כהן, מנהל אומנותי ומנצח ראשי, תזמורת ירושלים מזרח ומערבOne morning during the first week of this corona frenzy, I suddenly realized that for me, as well as for my orchestra׳s members, this is the first time in 11 years we do not wake up for days of rehearsals, concerts, arrangements, composition and other creative activities that have become our daily routine. When I realized that the orchestra's whatsapp group continued to be vibrant and active – I immediately sat down to do the only thing I know how… I wrote a small piece that aims to make us all happy and show our love and familliarity, that is more powerful than anything else. I wanted it to be both very simple yet complexed, "high" but at eye level – just like us … And here it is before you – "Darbuka la Corona" … Hope these sounds and images, of all 35 members of the orchestra, regardless their age, religion, gender or origin – from Majd al krum to Ashkelon, from Jerusalem to New York – celebrating love and longing for friendship and music, will help us all go through this period together. – Tom Cohen, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Jerusalem East and West Orchestra

Posted by ‎תזמורת ירושלים מזרח ומערב Jerusalem Orchestra East West‎ on Wednesday, 25 March 2020

“One morning during the first week of this corona frenzy, I suddenly realized that for me, as well as for my orchestra׳s members, this is the first time in 11 years we do not wake up for days of rehearsals, concerts, arrangements, composition and other creative activities that have become our daily routine,” Cohen wrote on the orchestra’s Facebook page. “When I realized that the orchestra’s whatsapp group continued to be vibrant and active — I immediately sat down to do the only thing I know how…I wrote a small piece that aims to make us all happy and show our love and familliarity (sic), that is more powerful than anything else. I wanted it to be both very simple yet complexed, ‘high’ but at eye level – just like us.”

He added, “I hope these sounds and images, of all 35 members of the orchestra, regardless their age, religion, gender or origin — from Majd al krum to Ashkelon, from Jerusalem to New York — celebrating love and longing for friendship and music, will help us all go through this period together.”

Source

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