ARABESQUE
for recorder, cello and harpsichord
 
A Fresh and Innovative Contemporary Trio for Baroque Instrumentation
Arabesque (2005) by Lior Navok is a 9-minute trio for alto recorder, baroque cello, and harpsichord inspired by imaginary shepherd songs and interwoven Middle-Eastern melodic gestures reminiscent of the Ney flute. Blending Baroque instrumentation with a contemporary and subtly ethnic perspective, the piece explores tangled motives, shifting textures, and a unique fusion of timbres. It offers performers a fresh and innovative addition to the modern repertoire for recorder cello harpsichord.
 
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About the Work
Arabesque is a 9.5‑minute trio for alto recorder, baroque cello, and harpsichord composed in 2005 for the Tel Aviv Baroque Trio. While the instrumentation evokes the sound world of early music, the piece reimagines this Baroque‑inspired ensemble through Middle‑Eastern colors, ornamentation, and interwoven melodic lines. Built around tangled motives reminiscent of imaginary shepherd songs and the expressive gestures of the Ney flute, the work blends modal inflections with contemporary phrasing, creating a hybrid sound world that is both historically aware and distinctly modern. Commissioned in memory of Adele and John Gray, Arabesque offers a fresh, cross‑cultural perspective on a traditional trio formation. It is ideal for professional early‑music specialists and contemporary performers, as well as advanced students exploring ornamentation, modal writing, and stylistic fusion. The composition is highly effective in Baroque‑inspired programs, cross‑cultural chamber concerts, and recitals highlighting hybrid ensembles or Middle‑Eastern–inflected contemporary music.
 
Program Notes
In Arabesque, I was exploring and developing a few tangled motives which echo imaginary shepherd songs and interwoven Middle‑Eastern melodies typically played on the local Ney Flute. With characteristic Baroque instrumentation, I tried to give the medium a different, more contemporary yet ethnic view.
Arabesque was generously commissioned in memory of Adele and John Gray.
 
Specifications
Duration: 9 minutes 30 seconds
Year Composed: 2005
Instrumentation: Alto Recorder, (Baroque) Cello and Harpsichord
 
Product Information
Availability: Instant PDF Download (Score and Parts)
Return Policy: Digital downloads are not eligible for returns.
Condition: New 1st Edition digital score