Alei Tapuach Virtual Choir Project

Alei Tapuach is an original musical setting of a poem by Yehuda HaLevi. This piece is for mezzo soloist, chorus, piano, violin, and hand drum.

Music: Leo Lightstone

Text: poem “Alei Tapuach” by Yehuda HaLevi (1075-1141)

Conductor: Saeideh Rajabzadeh

Mezzo soloist: Nayeli Abrego

This project began with a composition written in January 2020. My hope was to have this music performed in Ottawa, Canada in the Spring. Then Covid-19 struck. By the summer it was clear that live performances were at least a year away. I reached out to a number of singers and, with the help of Saeideh and Nayeli, worked to create a virtual choir recording of the music.

Many thanks to the wonderful choristers, from across North America, who lent their voices to this project.

Sopranos: Elaine Amir, Barbara Brickman, Anne Dubrofsky, Francesca German, Nava Hoffman, Sarah Hyams, Tamara Masliyah, Patti Iglarsh, Karen Lantner, Pam Maser, Roanne Pitluk, Robin Tabak

Altos: Cindy Arnson, Marsha Black, Judith Brown, Joan Dubinsky, Nava Hoffman, Carol Juran, Fran Levin, Mary Mihalyi, Pnina Motro, Patsy Royer, Nessa Spitzer, Barbara Teichman, Minda Wershof, Toby Yan

Tenors: Jon Angel, Ken Mak, Karl Mann, Larry Novey, Ari Reeves, David Smith, Ramón Tasat

Basses: Levi Benreuven, Gustave Goldmann, Steven Hausman, George Henschel, Lou Lantner, David Levin, Karl Mann, Steve Marcus, Eugene Ridberg, Peter Wershof