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"Like Two Branches" - Report (1990)
Israeli Television in Arabic. Interview with Tsippi Fleischer and Avner Itai following the premiere performance.
(09:24)
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"Like Two Branches" performed by Moran Singers (2016)
December 1, 2016. Tzavta, Tel Aviv. Conductor: Guy Pelc
(45:44)
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Remarks by Conductor Avner Itai (2016)
Conductor Avner Itai, who conducted the premiere performance of the cantata "Like Two Branches", speaks about the work and its performances
(02:21)
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Remarks by Conductor Guy Pelc (2016)
Conductor Guy Pelc speaks about performing the cantata "Like Two Branches" with the Moran Singers under his direction
(01:52)
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Remarks by Hagai Yodan (2016)
Hagai Yodan, the pianist, reflects on performing the cantata "Like Two Branches" by the Moran Singers, Tzavta,
December 1, 2016.
(01:25)
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Naomi Faran
Artistic Director of the "Moran" Choirs, speaks about performing the cantata "Like Two Branches" with the Moran Singers conducted by Guy Pelc.
(December 1, 2016)
(02:45)
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"Like Two Branches" performed by The Israeli Vocal Ensemble
May 29, 2026. Studio Annette, Tel Aviv. Conductor Guy Pelc.
(50:11)
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| The cantata "Like Two Branches" is set to a text in Arabic written by a 6th-century Bedouin poetess. The poetess laments her brother's death in a duel. However, her lament is no sorrowful
dirge, but rather the story of her brother's heroic life. In ancient Arabic full of rich imagery drawn from desert life (prior to Islam), she tells us, in her wisdom, that nothing can
survive the cruel hand of Time.
This statement is the spiritual credo of the work, and is repeated within the structure of a large rondo, where it serves as a kind of refrain marking the musical motifs.
This work is a virtuoso composition that has already gained recognition as one of the important works of the late 20th century. In a 2026 documentary, the Arabic text is further illuminated by means of synchronized Hebrew and English subtitles. Unlike
the films recorded in previous years, this version places emphasis on close-ups of the musicians. “Like Two Branches” is one of the stylistic highlights of the composer’s oeuvre.
The 2026 production raised the visual quality to a high level, including subtitles throughout the film in Hebrew and English as well as close-ups of the singers and players. At
the beginning, the composer recites the text in Arabic.
It is intriguing to observe the composer working with the singers and to hear conductor Avner Itai recount his experiences from the time this work came into being. It is also rewarding to follow the outstanding performances of “Like Two Branches”, performed
in 2016 and 2026.
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