Work Overview

Publication Year: 1952

First Publisher: Israeli Music Publications

Instrumentation: Piano solo

Total Performance Time: Approx. 10 minutes

For Milhaud, who defined himself as "a Frenchman born in the South of France and practicing Judaism," religious works held a special place. In a conversation with Claude Rostand (1952), Milhaud stated that he wished these works to be treated separately from other genres. This does not imply that special compositional techniques were employed solely for religious works, but rather that the spirituality embedded in the works and the musical ideas rooted in faith should be regarded as exceptional. Among his piano works, the present work (Op. 315) and the subsequent work, Hymne de louange (Op. 331), address themes fundamental to Milhaud's identity, making them important works regardless of their renown or frequency of performance.

The seven-branched candelabrum is called a Menorah and has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times. This work depicts representative traditional events of the Jewish calendar in the manner of an almanac. Each movement is short, spanning one or two pages, and a simple compositional style is consistently maintained throughout. It skillfully portrays the changing sentiments of a believer—the solemnity of liturgy, the festivity of celebrations, the tranquility and peace brought by prayer, and boundless gratitude for peace—and imbues the austere polytonal sounds with a mysterious warmth. Paul Collaer points out that the emotions expressed in this work are not confined to the specific faith of Judaism but are open to all people worldwide.

Commissioned by Israeli Music Publications, which had just been founded in 1949, the work was composed in Paris from December 20 to 28, 1951. Its premiere took place on April 10, 1952, at the opening concert of the Ein Gev Music Festival, one of Israel's kibbutzim, with the composer present during his first visit to the country, performed by Frank Pelleg (1910-68). The cover of the published score, depicting a Menorah with vivid lights emerging from darkness in a compelling style, was designed by Ludwig Schwerin (1897-1983). It is evident that the aspiring artists of the young nation, only four years after its founding, dedicated themselves with extraordinary enthusiasm to promoting this work. The fact that the premiere performer, Pelleg, arranged this work into a concerto for piano and orchestra and released an LP recording (in collaboration with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra) further indicates the significant impact with which the work was received in that land.

This work is dedicated "To M. M.," namely, the composer's wife, Madeleine Milhaud. The autograph manuscript was presented to Madame Fernand Halphen (Alice Halphen). Madame Halphen was a prominent figure in the Parisian music scene for a long time, known as a leading patron of Jewish musicians. The autograph manuscript is currently available online on the website of the European Institute of Jewish Music (IEMJ) in Paris. Although this work is not included in recording projects purporting to be complete collections of Milhaud's solo piano works, and is thus little known outside of researchers, it is an indispensable work for understanding the essence of Milhaud. The required difficulty is by no means high; in fact, it belongs to the more approachable category among Milhaud's piano works. The insights gained from tackling it without hesitation are profound.

• No. 1 Le premier jour de l’an (New Year Festival). 4/4 time. Quarter note = 84.
• No. 2 Jour de pénitence (Day of Atonement). 3/4 time. Quarter note = 63. [Observing a fast]
• No. 3 Fête des cabanes (Feast of Tabernacles). 6/8 time. Dotted quarter note = 76. [A sukkah, or booth, also refers to a movable sanctuary]
• No. 4 La résistance des Macchabées (The Resistance of the Maccabees). 4/4 time. Quarter note = 92. [The Maccabees were a priestly family]
• No. 5 Fête de la reine Esther (Feast of Queen Esther). 5/4 time. Quarter note = 100. [Also known as Purim, the Feast of Lots]
• No. 6 Fête de la Pâques (Passover). 6/8 time. Dotted quarter note = 84.
• No. 7 Fête de la Pentecôte (Pentecost). 4/4 time. Quarter note = 66. [The Feast of Tabernacles, Passover, and Pentecost are considered the three major Jewish festivals]