Bermel takes inspiration from two striking scenes - the cusp between Jewish and Muslim life in old Jerusalem and the ancient music-making of remote African lands. These disparate elements are reflected in the two movements of Wanderings, "Gift of Life" and "Two Songs of Nandom." The first describes the intense juxtaposition, duality, and even humor of these two societies living side-by-side, whilethe second explores the translation of African instruments and sounds to the language of the Western wind quintet. Striking, moving, intelligent, and new, Wanderings presents a sonic landscape portrait for advanced performers.