Halelu Cantata

On the Creation of "Halelu-Songs of David"
by David Eaton

On September 13, 2004 I had the occasion to be in Israel (the third of my ten visits to the Holy Land since 2003) to produce a concert in conjunction with the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. It was at this concert where I first met the gifted Israeli vocalist, David D’Or, who was the featured artist on the MEPI program.

On this particular occasion David appeared with the Ra’anana Symphony Orchestra and in my 30 years of producing events it was one of the most inspiring concerts I have ever been associated with. The rapport between the artist and audience that night was as enthralling as I’ve ever witnessed.

During the ensuing months David began corresponding with me about the possibility of a significant musical collaboration. He expressed that he had been deeply inspired by the great synergy he had felt with those who produced and attended the MEPI concert, and as an artist who seeks to use his talent for peace, he had composed music that he hoped could be used for that purpose. After numerous e-mails and two subsequent meetings in New York, David sent me his musical ideas and we began the process of co-creating "Halelu."

Formally, "Halelu" is a cantata in that it is a multi-movement vocal composition with liturgical connotations (including excerpts from Psalm 113 in movement IV) and is scored for solo voices, chorus and orchestra. The music consists of ten movements with the text sung in five languages with the motto of the MEPI pilgrimages to the Holy Land, “Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum,” figuring prominently in several of the movements.

The primary composition and orchestration of "Halelu" took place from March to August in 2005 and by early 2006 the score and parts were completed. The music is based largely on several original themes that David had written and that appear in the Prelude (I) and Chorus (II). I then composed several other movements that include fragments and variations of David’s original motifs. My colleague, soprano Seiko Lee, assisted in making the demos that I sent to David as the work progressed.

With the music completed, we then organized the production of a recording in Tel Aviv with the Ra’anana Orchestra and the Phliharmonia Chorus of Israel. The recording took place in April, 2006 and with the assistance of several sponsors, Seiko and I traveled to Israel for three days of rehearsal and recording.

Having finished the recording we sought various ways to present a premiere performance. The world-premiere performance of "Halelu" took place at the Sava Center in Belgrade, Serbia on May 19, 2007 in a concert that was televised in Eastern Europe. (Click Halelu World Premiere.) A second performance took place in Sofia, Bulgaria on October 8, 2007. There are now performances of "Halelu" being planned in the United States, Korea Israel, Europe, South America and Japan.

It is our hope that the music can inspire others to use their abilities and talents to further the ideals of creating a culture of peace.

In a very real sense, this has been the realization of a dream.

David D'Or and I wish to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support in the production of "Halelu:”

The Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, The Family Federation for World Peace, MEPI, Artists Association for World Peace, Orit Fogel and the Ra'anana Symphony Orchestra, Marquis van DeMark, The Seiko Lee Project, Davetta Morgan-Olangulo, Scott Simonds, Kevin Pickard, The Israeli Embassies in Serbia and Bulgaria and their business partners, and the world wide membership of The Ambassadors for Peace.

“Halelu-Songs of David” I. Prelude (Instrumental) II. Chorus Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! (Verses in Hebrew) There is a place for everyone, Under the moon, under the sun. To live in peace and harmony Is something that was meant to be. The more we learn the less we know. Of things not always as they show. But when we use the love inside, It always seems to be so right. In this holy land of milk and honey, Love is the hope of all the ages. Under the sun, under the moon, Under the stars full of hope, full of love, We sing songs of Peace. III. The Hope of All Ages Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Longing for a time When hope and peace embrace you and I. When such a time is near, We will sing songs of joy, We will dance in the dawn of true love. There must be a place Where children’s dreams come true, I believe There is a place in our hearts, We will sing songs of joy, We will dance in the dawn of true love. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. I have known a place Where songs of love resound eternally, An endless song of true love. Heaven sings song of joy, Heaven rings with the hope of Peace; The Hope of All Ages. Forever our dream, Forever the dream of God. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Amen. Amen. Amen. IV. Psalm (Verses in Hebrew from Psalm 113) Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name [is] to be praised. The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens. Who [is] like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth [himself] to behold [the things that are] in heaven, and in the earth! Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. V. Dona Nobis Pacem Dona nobis pacem. Dona nobis pacem. God, grant us peace, grant us eternal peace. Peace in true love on this high, holy day. VI. There Is a Place There is a place for everyone, Under the moon, under the sun. To live in peace and harmony Is something that was meant to be. The more we learn the less we know. Of things not always as they show. But when we use the love inside, It always seems to be so right. In this holy land of milk and honey, Love is the hope of all the ages. Under the sun, under the moon, Under the stars full of hope, full of love, We sing songs of Peace. VII. Fantasie Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! VIII. All Holy Children Sing Hear the angels, hear the children sing, Hear the angels, hear the children sing, Hallelujah! Hear their voice across the holy land. Hear their voice throughout the world. Hear their voices, their yearning, Hear the children sing. Hear them sing their songs of loneliness. Hear them sing their songs of hope. Hear the chorus of angels, When all the children sing: Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. All holy children sing for love. Hear the angels, hear the children sing: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Singing praises of love,
Sing of hopefulness, singing of peace,
Sing of endless days of joy!
Hear the angels, hear the children sing: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hearts rejoice when all the children sing: Hallelujah! Hear the angels, hear the children sing, Hear the angels, hear the children sing, Hallelujah! Voices raised in blessed harmony, Hear the songs in morning’s calm, Hear the chorus of angels, When all the children sing: Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum. All holy children sing: Hallelujah! IX. Meditation and Aria Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Dona nobis pacem. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Under the sky, under the sun. Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Under the sky, under the sun, To everyone, Peace, Shalom, Salaam! X. Finale Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Halelu, Halelu, Hallelujah! Hear the angels, Hear the children sing; Peace, Shalom, Salaam. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Peace, Shalom, Salaam. All Holy Children Sing; Hallelujah!

Halelu
World Premiere