Puncha Puncha - arr. Tzvi Sherf

Performed December 10th at the University of Arizona
Israeli composer Tvzi Sherf completed this work in 2008 for his vocal group the Coral Vocal Ensemble, arranging and reworking a Jewish-Spanish (Ladino) folk tune. The poetry expresses fervent rejection of a lover once spurned, which Sherf explores through his own idiom of colorful harmony and text expression. Sherf’s style blends jazz, pop, blues, folk, and classical, with Puncha Puncha lending deep credence to his jazz stylings. Leaning on dissonant harmonies and pained melodic expression, this part song makes a powerful statement on the loss of love.
Text:
Puncha Puncha la rose huele
Que el amor muncho duele
Tu no nacites para mi
Presto alexate de mi
Acrodrate d'aquella hora
queue yo te bezava la boca
Aqulla hora ya paso
dolor quedo al corazon
Montanas altas y mares hondas
llevame onde'l mi querido
llevame onde'l mi amor
eq queue me de consolation
Si otra vez me queres ver
sale afuera te havlare
echa los ojos a la mar
alli me puedes encontrar
Translation:
Piercing, piercing is the perfume of the rose
For love is but great agony
You were not born for me
Quickly, leave me alone
Do you remember the time
When I kissed your mouth
That time is gone
Only sorrow remains in my heart
Mountains high and deep sea
Lead me to my darling
Lead me to my beloved
Who will console me
If you wish to see me
one more time
Turn your eyes towards the sea
This is where you'll find me