Judith Shatin

String Quartet

Composer's Note:

Chai Variations on Eliahu HaNavi was inspired by the folk song Eliahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet), often sung during the closing service of the Jewish Sabbath. The letters of “Chai,” which means “life” or “living” in Hebrew, symbolically stand for the number 18; hence, 18 variations, which are flanked by two versions of the theme. Other than the themes, I decided to give the performer(s) a choice regarding the ordering of the variations as a reflection of my sense of performance as a collaboration between performer and composer (and, for that matter, listener). It also reflects a dynamic conception of musical form. This means that there are 18! Or 6,402,373,705,728,000 possible orderings! I composed this piece while in residence at Brahmshaus in Baden-Baden during the summer of 1995. Originally scored for solo piano, Chai Variations on Eliahu HaNavi has been recorded by new music champion Mary Kathleen Ernst on her album Keeping Time, and by the distinguished pianist Nathan Carterette on his Poets of the Piano – Acts of Faith album. Both are also available on multiple streaming services. I decided to create a version for String Quartet as I thought the timbres of the ensemble would create a fascinating timbral interplay, shining a different light through their interplay of voices.