Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble. The Songs of Sheikh Sayyed Darweesh: Soul Of A People. Xauen Music


Darweesh, who called himself  Egypt's Verdi was a prolific composer even though his career only lasted seven years. Made up of young immigrants from all over the Arab world, the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble group makes the strings swoon and swirl in full justice to Darweesh. The stellar vocals capture the complex emotional range of the poetry, darting from anguish to joy. It makes you wonder why Darweesh's work isn't better known.