Revolution Orchestra reimagines Cohen, Simon, and Hitchcock for upcoming season
The ensemble will perform deconstructed pop songs and a live film score in a program titled 'Still Crazy.'
By Daphne Turner ·
The Revolution Orchestra will perform a season of work that blends classical music with rock, film, and theater, focusing on North American artists. The program, titled 'Still Crazy,' features deconstructed arrangements of Paul Simon songs and lyrics from Leonard Cohen's final recordings.
Founded 22 years ago by composer Zohar Sharon and conductor Roy Oppenheim, the group creates new work by mixing classical traditions with other genres. This season marks a shift in focus toward music and film from North America. The orchestra will perform in English with Hebrew subtitles provided for the film screenings.
A central part of the season involves a puppet ensemble called Red Band, which includes Red Orbach, Poncho, Lefty, and Philip. They will perform Paul Simon melodies that have been reassembled into edgy orchestral arrangements. Guest performer Anat Moshkovski will accompany the orchestra for these pieces. The songs will be performed in English.
The program also includes a production called 'Hineni.' Singer Aya Korem and guitarist Adam Ben Amitai will join the orchestra and the Efroni Choir for this segment. The performance draws on Leonard Cohen's 2016 song 'You Want It Darker,' which was released shortly before his death. The song incorporates the Hebrew word 'hineni,' meaning 'Here I am.'
The orchestra will present a live performance of Bernard Herrmann's string orchestra score for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho.' The film will be screened in English with Hebrew subtitles. The live music will accompany the classic thriller in a special cinematic experience.
Two previous productions are returning to the lineup due to popular demand. The first is 'The Gospel According to Monty Python,' a musical production. The second is 'Moods. A Work for Orchestra in Motion.' This piece is based on Roy Oppenheim's doctoral research, which explores the experience of time and narrative through phenomenological methods.
The Revolution Orchestra website lists the dates and tickets for the upcoming season. The group will continue its practice of blending classical instruments with rock, film, dance, and theater elements. The season includes live performances, film screenings, and choral works.
