The Joy of the Yiddish Word (2026)

Di Freyd fun Yidishn Vort - די פֿרײד פֿון ייִדישן װאָרט

World Premiere Performance
Composed by Derek David
Performed by Rose Hegele, soprano and Elias Dagher, piano

New Gallery Concert Series, April 18, 2026
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA

Program Notes
Di Freyd fun Yidishn Vort (“The Joy of the Yiddish Word”) is a song cycle inspired by the modernist and surrealist movements in Yiddish art, originating in Eastern Europe and, through migration, continuing in America. In contrast to earlier literary traditions of the early modernist period (represented by writers such as Sholem Aleichem and I. L. Peretz) these artists embraced the stark, and at times bleak, realities (and unrealities) of their lived experience. Their work often confronts the suffering of human existence, as well as themes of sexuality, love, and the psychological dimensions of the world around them. Both male and female poets were (and continue to be) celebrated within this rich literary tradition. This song cycle seeks to carry forward a lineage in Yiddish art that has endured for over a thousand years, yet often remains hidden in plain sight.

The selected poems are imagined as a personal conduit of expression for the composer, exploring themes of trauma, sexuality, aging, and passion in deeply uncertain times.

Dedicated with immense gratitude to my therapist K.E. whose wisdom, patience and brilliance has changed my life. She’s the only person (other than myself) who will truly understand this piece.

Score Follow Video for Partita for Solo Viola: I. Prelude (2024)

Recorded by Jesse Morrison on Transitions, released February 27, 2026: https://jessemorrisonviola.bandcamp.com/album/transitions

For more info about the work and to purchase the score, go to Partita for Solo Viola

Hello friends, colleagues, and family members!

I wanted to let you know about a current fundraising campaign we are having with Rossini Club to fund the remainder of my album, which will feature Del Sol Quartet, clarinetist Nicholas Davies, and a vocal quartet organized by soprano Rose Hegele. The album includes my Clarinet Quintet "Oh World, Goodnight" and String Quartet No. 4 "Kaddish", both of which intimately connect to the Yiddish world. Please click below for more info and to see the perks for donating (from a “thank-you” note”, to receiving the final album, to getting a private concert!).

New Gallery Concert Series released the performance of Duet for Violin and Viola with violinist Lilit Hartunian and violist Anna Griffis. Enjoy!

Host Janna Sailor interviews violist Jesse Morrison about his newly recorded album of solo viola works entitled "Transitions", soon to be released on all major streaming platforms!

The second, fifth, and sixth movements were featured.

Take a look & listen to my Partita for Solo Viola (2023-24) by the incomparable Jesse Morrison from my MIT concert this past October.

For more information about the work, visit here:

https://www.derekdavid.com/partita-for-solo-viola

String Quartet No. 4. “Kaddish קדיש"

In Judaism, the Mourners Kaddish is a prayer said over the dead. I originally wrote this over the COVID lockdown in 2020, inspired by personal loss. My aim was not to concretize any specific event but to capture the pain I was going through at the time. I personally can’t think of a more appropriate time to share this work, and to do so with respect to ALL of the innocent lives that have been lost in these dark and horrible times.

For more information about the work, visit here:

https://www.derekdavid.com/string-quartet-no-4

I am excited and honored to be selected in the Spring 2022 #FollowMyScore call for works! Check out my piece from 2017, "Et in Bergamo Ego" A Comedia dell'Arte Ballet scored for 5 cellos, performed and commissioned by SAKURA Cello Quintet.