Commissioned by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

The title Reflections has various meanings, including contemplation and looking back and reminiscences.

It reflects upon the Concerto for Orchestra by Bartok and uses material from that piece.

The work begins with three snare drums introducing a rhythmic theme, which is present almost throughout the entire work. This theme is later reflected in the strings, as well as in other instruments. The work’s opening section leads to a flute melody – a solitary and contemplative tune, joined towards its end by the oboe. The oboe also has a tune, which seems to come from a distant past. The snare drum is both reminiscent of Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra (Game of Couples) and jazz references.

The orchestral playing sometimes alternates with chamber playing of individual instruments, as well as solo passages for numerous instruments. At the end of the work, all the instruments unite to form a full and dense orchestral texture. Towards the end, parallel to the flute solo in the beginning, there is a clarinet solo, joined softly by the other two clarinets, like a shadow of the solo clarinet. The work ends in motoric motion of the strings, dismantling the drums_rhythmic opening theme and bringing the work to its conclusion.

The work is dedicated to my wife Yael