lekh

Program Note

Jonathan Leshnoff is known for writing driving, spirited compositions for chamber groups, and Lekh does not disappoint. Jonathan was asked to write Lekh for the Chamber Encounter Ensemble in the spring of 2015. He was impressed with the group’s dynamism and gusto and being that they only wanted a short “opener” piece, Jonathan decided to write something with energy, movement and drive. The result was Lekh, a 5 minute tour-de-force for violin, viola and cello.

Through the overriding tone of Lekh (which means “go” in Hebrew) is one of unrelenting drive, there are two distinct themes: the first is presented by the entire ensemble in unison right at the beginning. After some contrapuntal manipulations to the first theme, the second theme is introduced – and arching, plaintive theme – in the cello. The composition vacillates between these two themes, ending triumphantly with the simultaneous combination of the two.