Compositions
As a composer, I work to expand my compositional tools to convey complex feelings and states.
In my compositions I investigate the amount of freedom given to the performer,
the use of electronics and guided improvisation.
E(tti)tude (2022) - For Clarinet (Bass Clarinet) and Bassoon
E(tti)tude (2022) - Jonathan David
The piece won Israel's sixth national composition
contest (2023), and was published by the Israeli
Music Institute. It was performed by
Meitar Ensemble at the Israeli Conservatory
of Music's winner's ceremony.
The piece demonstrates the different phases of practicing a musical instrument. In the beginning,
the practice is meticulous and organized,
and little by little the player loses concentration.
Later in the piece there is an improvisation,
in which the players play based on materials
presented earlier in the piece.
This improvisation simulates training practice,
which includes play and freedom with the written material. The piece then ends with a down-tempo feeling of exhaustion, a mirror that I think many instrumentalists can relate to.
Expansions (2023) - For Electric Guitar and Live electronics
Expansions (2023) - For Electric Guitar and Live Electronics | Jonathan David
Expansions investigates the relationships of man and machine – the machine, in this case – a max MSP patch I built, records parts of the guitar, and processes it to small samples (grains). The electronics player then
triggering them in different intervals, moves between different points in the recorded samples, manipulating its pitch, and finally creating a customized and expanded sonic experience of the guitar.
Their relationship changes as the piece develops and shows their remarkable characteristics. The live electronics "magnify" the human part, dissect it into small pieces (which is a blessing and a curse) and reveals new layers of sound.
Courage (2022) - for 3 processed recorders
Courage (2022) - for 3 processed Recorders | Jonathan David
Courage is a piece I composed for Noga Rubanenko, recorder player based in Poland.
In the piece I tried to create a "wandering" atmosphere - a feeling of order which then erupts into mess, and back again, with each time it gets more extreme. The usage of effects on the recorders open a lot of sonic expressions, and is a flattering contrary to the instrument itself - which is almost a pure sine wave.
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Hakiyosk (2023) - For Choir
"Hakiyosk" (הקיוסק) is a poem by the renowed Israel poet Agi Mishol. I composed it for "Meitar Choir", a young choir led by Michal Okon, which is conducting in the video.
The poem is about a dream of an elderly lady about her childhood neighborhood's candy stand. In most of the poem there is a dreamy feeling of nostalgia, but in the end, the woman then understands how far she has moved from that very place.
This concept is extremely effective when sung by the young choir.