for String Orchestra (minimum string count: 3, 3 , 3, 3, 1)
Commissioned by Palaver Strings, Ḥawāsh takes its name and inspiration from the lead dancer of a dabke dance troupe. The Ḥawāsh is the lead dancer who not only sets the pace for each dance, but also acts as a soloist, often making acrobatic leaps and dazzling moves. In this work for string orchestra, I imagine each section leader becoming the Ḥawāsh at different times in the course of the work, which will be energetic and virtuosic in its gestures.