I See Them

The work focuses on a pivotal moment in the recording of Yehiel Dinur, known as "Katzetnik," during the Eichmann trial. The Eichmann trial, which took place in 1961, was one of the most dramatic moments in Israel’s history, After Adolf Eichmann, one of the main perpetrators of the Holocaust, was captured and brought to Israel. Dinur, a writer and Holocaust survivor, appeared as a witness in the trial. During his testimony, he experienced a moment of revelation, realizing that the person he was, "Yehiel," and "Katzetnik" were two sides of the same person. 

In relation to my work, I engage with the music created in that moment. I translated Dinur's voice from the recording into MIDI notes, and then used those sounds with various musical instruments. The piano part, however, is derived from a single sentence he said, "I see them" ("אני רואה אותם"), which he uttered as he was being forcibly reintroduced to the trauma. This moment marked a profound post-traumatic experience for him, as he felt as if he was reliving that moment. This is the sound analysis of the sentence stretches throughout the piece in the piano part: 

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Through this work, I aim to preserve the historical and personal narrative of Dinur, while also creating a musical piece that speaks to the dramatic and traumatic moments of history. I do not alter its meaning, but rather reframe it through sound.