Amos Elkana is a composer and guitarist, born in 1967 in Boston, USA, and raised in Israel. He is known for his innovative contributions to contemporary music, creating forms inspired by fractals and in some of his works blending acoustic and electronic elements. Elkana began his formal music education at Berklee College of Music, where he studied jazz guitar, and later continued his composition studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston. His work spans a wide range of genres, including orchestral, chamber, electronic, and vocal music. Elkana’s compositions are characterized by their complex textures, rhythmic innovation, and a distinctive merging of various musical traditions. His music has been performed by leading ensembles and soloists around the world, and he has received numerous awards and commissions throughout his career.

About the piece

Judgment Day is a short yet impactful composition by Amos Elkana, written in 2020 for bassoon and narrator. The piece was commissioned by the Meitar Ensemble and specifically created for the opening event of the CEME 2021 festival, titled “SPEAK UP!” The work’s duration is approximately two minutes, and it was originally composed for Yossi Zabari’s video, which critiques the political situation in Israel. In the premiere performance, Nadav Cohen played the bassoon, delivering an emotionally charged performance that underscored the piece’s intense themes.

The composition can be performed with or without the narration, offering flexibility in how it is presented. Elkana’s work in Judgment Day explores the intersection of music and political commentary, using the bassoon’s deep and resonant tones to convey a sense of urgency and reflection.