David Ezra Okonsar

Angels (Malakhim) Ten Pieces for the Piano Solo David Ezra Okonsar

Malakhim (melakhim, malachim), often translated as "angels," literally means messengers. This aspect of the concept constitutes the basic idea for the composition. Titles and order of the pieces are based on the commonly accepted names and hierarchical order of angels, as established by Moshe bin Maimon (Maimonides a.k.a Rambam, 1135-1204). The ten pieces for the piano, inspired by the denominations, hierarchical order (reversed) and commonly given attributes of beings referred to as "angels" (Malakhim, messengers) as described by Maimonides are: I - Ishim: "manlike" beings [Genesis 10-5 and Daniel 10-5] II - Cherubim: "unearthly beings who directly attend to God" [Ezekiel 10-1] III - Bene Elohim: "Sons of Godly beings" [Genesis 6:1-4 and Job: 1:6, Job: 38:7] IV - Elohim: "Godly beings" [Bereshit 1:1] V - Malakim: messengers, angels VI - Seraphim: "the burning one" [Isaiah 6] VII - Hashmallim: "stormy wind coming from the north" [Ezekiel 1:4] VIII - Erelim: "the valiant, courageous" [Isaiah 33:7] IX - Ophanim: "the wheels that never sleep" [Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10] X - Chayot Ha Kodesh: "living beings, angels of fire" [Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10] The composition is dedicated to the memory of Alexis Weissenberg (1929-2012).