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CD Review
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The King's Singers & Sarband (international) Sacred Bridges, World Village
It's not unusual these days to find concert tours, recording projects and other events that either find commonality between different religions, especially the Big 3 from the Middle East (Islamism, Christianity, Judaism) or for musicians from those various traditions to find common religious roots. However, the point of bringing these 3 religions together is to bring peace through recognizing those common roots. Musicians are natural peacemakers and the vehicle of music carries its own spirituality sans any religion. Sacred Bridges unites Great Britain's The King's Singers with the oriental-occidental ensemble, Sarband (led by Vladimir Ivanoff). The a cappella choir and the ensemble of Middle Eastern musicians explore the religious origins of a collection of Psalms of David which had been envisioned and composed by 16th and 17th Century Jewish, Muslim and Christian composers.
One doesn't need to be a follower of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions to appreciate the collection of Psalms on this recording. People who practice earth based spirituality, Hindus and Buddhists recognize that in order to secure peace on the planet, the Jews, Christian, Muslims and Hindus need to stop taking up arms against one another.. Anyone who listens to or watches the news, either alternative or mainstream has had this concept pounded like incessant nails into their minds. If religion is about loving one's neighbor and living in accordance with an-all loving God, then why are different religious groups killing one another? Is it truly about seeking acceptance for an unconditionally loving God or is it about pushing dogma down each other's throats or is it about dominion of Mother Earth? These are questions that we must ask ourselves and come up with an answer soon.
Sacred Bridges offers another view and that is one of acceptance. Jewish, Islamic and Christian interpretations of Psalms appear along side one another and in some cases, the arrangements feature the work of two composers representing different religious beliefs. The choral arrangements performed by the renowned The King's Singers provide peaceful polyphony that is embellished by musical ornamentation provided by Arabic and Persian instruments such as the kanun, ney, three-string bowed fiddle, frame drum and Arabic-Persian vocals. Many of the tracks feature a cappella polyphony and the result is astounding, even breath-taking. A solo ney (Arabic-Persian flute) carries its own song of peace on Ali Ufki/Claude Goudimel's Psalm 9. Throughout the recording, moments of beauty and peace emerge. By the time the recording, has ended, one is left with a blissful feeling and they might say to themselves, yes, there is a loving God which is reflected in all creatures.
Sacred Bridges is just that, a bridge between sacred traditions, an extension of one's hand to another and a musical embrace that has the ability to touch many souls. One day other types of bridges will extend to earth based spirituality where a great deal of healing of the earth and its inhabitants need to take place. One day, musicians from all spiritual practices will united and at that point, peace will no longer be a fleeting dream, but a solid reality. This recording and others like it, will pave the way as it calms our minds and our hearts, allowing us to appreciate those who live differently than us. Viva la difference! 09/22/05 >> go there
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