Sharon Farber
Sharon Farber, originally from Israel, brings to her music the influences of her Middle Eastern heritage, combines it with her extensive knowledge of western classical music, and puts it all to good use in the music she composes for concerts and for film and TV.
Working in both genres has its unique rewards. As Sharon expressed to me, “There are many similarities as well as differences between these two fascinating worlds, which is the reason I work in both. When I score a film, I’m part of a team of professionals, and I am there to service the director’s vision. It’s a beautiful process and a very exiting one, but though the music is an integral part of the film and is as important as other elements, it was created to enhance the viewer’s experience.”
As for the other world, Sharon explained, “In concert music, I am artistically free to express my own vision and creative direction. People come to hear what I have to say as an artist. It’s a wonderful experience to hear your music come out of movie theater speakers, but it’s equally-at times even more exciting-to see and hear your music performed live. There’s something very alive in a concert performance. For example, the LA Master Chorale premiered my work Mother’s Lament, and while the piece was being performed, I sensed that the audience was experiencing what I felt when I wrote it; there’s a connection between the composer and audience that is unique and exhilarating.
“I enjoy writing for chamber groups, as well as for bigger ensembles and choirs. I’ve been a fan of Pacific Serenades for a long time and have attended their concerts, so I was delighted when Mark Carlson commissioned me to compose a new piece. In addition, I welcome the challenge of writing for a male voice, especially the beautiful voice of Shawn Thuris.”
In composing Bridges of Love, for tenor, clarinet, viola, and piano, the first step was selecting the texts. Sharon shared with me, “I was looking for the right words for a long time; I wanted to set music to poems about love-non-romantic love-which I hadn’t done before, but at first could not find poems that I could really relate to.” Eventually, she found the right poems, which “speak of uncommon, unconditional love-love that is almost against all odds. The first is from the book of Ruth, which has always fascinated me. It talks about love between two women-Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, who refused to leave Naomi when both of their husbands had died. I find this story so beautiful-love that is truly devoted and honest, which is so rare.
“The second poem, by Helen Keller, is a reminder of the power that love can bring to the handicapped. I especially love the following lines:
But a little word from the fingers of another
fell into my hands that clutched at emptiness,
and my heart leaped up with the rapture of living.
“We all know the story of Helen Keller and her unbelievable strength and intelligence in the face of nearly impossible odds. However, she could only have achieved so much by knowing the kind fingers of her teacher, who opened up her dark, silent world by drawing letters into her hand. The poem is about how love can change someone’s life forever and take them from darkness to light,” Sharon said.
“For the last poem, by Rumi, I chose a universal theme, one that would speak to everyone,” Sharon said. “I believe that we are all connected, and if we learn to love rather than respond with hatred, this can only become a more positive and beautiful world. These three poems are individual yet universal in their meaning, and I believe that love, as music, can bridge the gaps of faith and religion and can heal us all.”
In looking forward to the Pacific Serenades concerts, Sharon ended by expressing to me, “I love the intimacy of small spaces. There is a connection that occurs between the composer, performers, and the audience that is not always possible in large concert halls. The sound is closer and gets right into your heart-it’s a beautiful experience for all sides as it brings about a unique atmosphere that connects all those who are a part of it.
