David Schiff

Sacred Service

The SACRED SERVICE was written for the rededication of the temple at Congregation Beth Israel in Portland, where David Schiff's wife served as cantor. It was commissioned by the family of Arlene Schnitzer, whose name is on the concert hall where the Oregon Symphony performs. The work premiered on Friday evening, December 2, 1983, with then Senator Robert Packwood speaking. It was also the third night of Chanukah, so the service included liturgy for both the sabbath and the holiday. Schiff chose not to write a symphonic work like the Bloch SACRED SERVICE, but rather composed music for congregational use. While the entire service could be performed as a concert work, it is more in the spirit of the work to see it as a collection of prayer settings which could be used in different services. Scored for cantor, choir, organ, flute, clarinet, trumpet and string quartet, most of the movements could be performed just with an organ or piano accompaniment. SACRED SERVICE's vocal score can be purchased, and performance of any of songs are encouraged in service or concert in any number and any order. The work is also available for rental if that is preferred by nsembles. Instrumentation: Cantor: SATB Choir: Organ (or Piano): opt. Chamber Ensemble (Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, String Quartet)