Born in Israel and a long-time resident of the United States, Avner Dorman is getting more and more recognition for his music, which exudes spirituality in a vibrantly rhythmic idiom and integrates musical and philosophical influences from all over the world into a highly personal language. How to Love was originally written for guitar and string quartet in 2016; its new, orchestral version was premiered in July 2022, at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. The orchestra was conducted by Gerard Schwarz, and the soloist was Jason Vieaux who, in an interview, called the work (especially the second and fourth movements) one of the most technically challenging pieces he has ever performed.
The composer has offered the following remarks about his work:
The title of this work is taken from the book of the same name, written by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and peace activist from Vietnam. Each movement is titled after one of the six mantras that he outlines at the end of the book. The movements are repetitive in a variety of forms—chaconne, theme and variations, passacaglia reflecting the repeating nature of a traditional mantra. The first movement, "I am here for you," begins with an open, flowing gesture in the guitar that calls to mind a sense of presence that continues, as the gesture transforms throughout the movement. The second movement, "I know you are there, and I am happy," celebrates that happiness of being with the one you love. The third movement, "This is a happy moment," is an aria, a love song celebrating the joys present in everyday life. The final movement, "You are partly right," is the most conflict-driven of the piece, and therefore the most dramatic. As the author of the text explains, we can say "You are partly right," both in response to praise and admiration as well as in criticism or disagreement. The movement progresses through conflict to the recognition and reconciliation that we must embrace imperfection in order to love each other fully.
Notes by Peter Laki
