Many Waters

PUBLISHER Lyric Row Press
DURATION ca. 16 minutes
ORCHESTRATION Mandolin, Guitar

Generously commissioned by the Augustine Foundation
Dedicated to Duo Mantar, Jacob Reuven, Mandolin; Adam Levin, Classical Guitar

Program Note

Many Waters is the second piece I've composed for Duo Mantar. It is inspired by our collaborative work and by hearing their recordings and performances.

The composition is a suite of vignettes, each depicting a body of water that holds special memories and significance for me. The outer movements, Red Sea and Jordan River, recall childhood visits to these beautiful locations and evoke musical associations with Jewish history and heritage. The middle movement, Susquehanna River, is a tribute to the river near my current home in Pennsylvania. Movements two and four reflect memories of scenic waterscapes from San Diego Bay and Lake Geneva.

Throughout the piece, the mandolin and guitar interchange roles—sometimes playing in unison, other times in counterpoint. At moments, one instrument supports while the other leads. The composition explores both the instruments’ shared virtuosity and their distinct voices, aiming to showcase their expressive range through a rich musical dialogue.