Presentation “Jacob’s dream”

«Jacob’s Dream» is a cello concerto inspired by a famous biblical story. The image of Jacob, who in a dream saw a stairway to heaven and the Lord himself, promising good things to him and his offspring, was initially embodied in the symphonic poem of the same name by composer Baruch Berliner and producer Nachum Slutzker.

Then, on the advice of his friend, the world famous cellist Mischa Maisky, the composer reworked the poem into a cello concerto.

The premiere of the concerto took place in 2018 at the closing of the White Nights of Karelia Music International Festival in Petrozavodsk, where Sergey Antonov performed the solo part (the composition is dedicated to him). Following a request from Sergey, the author added a solo cello cadenza between part II and part III, and called it “The Prayer”.

Baruch Berliner said, “We first met Boris in Tashkent, at the rehearsal of the concert. And literally from the first sound, he impressed us. The sound of his cello penetrated deep into my soul and touched my heart. We have developed very warm relations with Boris, and he became theguide of my concerto to the world, and it was hoped that he would perform it again and again. We have big joint plans for the future. Boris became a member of our International Genesis project. He with great skill, very accurately conveys the nature of the work, and the “The Prayer” in his performance ascends directly to heaven …” We have extensive joint plans for the future. Boris became a member of our Genesis International Project. He conveys the nature of the work very accurately, with great skill, and the “The Prayer” in his performance ascends directly to heaven … ”

The work consists of 3 parts and a cadenza between 2 and 3 parts:

P.1 Isaac’s Blessing
P.2 Jacob’s Dream
The Prayer (Cadenza)
P.3 Gate to Heaven

Currently, the work is performed not only as a cello concerto, but also arranged as a concerto for violin or clarinet and orchestra; and it is also performed by such famous musicians as cellist Emil Rovner, virtuoso violinist’s Graf Murzha and Haik Kazazyan, clarinetist’s Sergio Musat, Julian Milkis, Nikita Vaganov and others.