Monajat
Asim Al-Chalabi
Monajat
Baghdad School Oud Solo
Music and compositions:
Asim Al-Chalabi
total length: 61 min 01 sec
Also available at: Asim Al-Chalabi
© 2003 Maqam Music, Asim Al-Chalabi
Produced by MAQAM Music,
102 Cherrywood Circle, Chapel Hill,
NC 27514, USA
info@maqam.com
Tel: 919-969-8989
Fax: 919-969-8990
Roughly translated from Arabic,
Monajat means "intimate conversation(s)"; but it means much
more. For example, such a "conversation" may be a dialogue where
no words or thoughts, per se, are exchanged; or it may be a one-sided
or non-verbal exchange as in a silent prayer.
In that sense, the title befits this wonderful collection of improvisations
(taqasim, singular taqsim). There is more here than another rendition
in the familiar style of the Oud school of Baghdad. Here, Asim breaks
out of the shell of the familiar and customary, and lets the music soar
or plummet leaving the navigation to his free spirit. He is not driven
by music alone. The strings vibrate into various shapes and forms,
as if by a will all their own. At times the vibrations are condensed into
the passionate cry of a sufi yearning for the Beloved and burning in the
flame of the unquenchable thirst. At other times, when the Beloved is
near, these vibrations become a subdued whisper of thankfulness, or a
frenzied dance celebrating the joys of life, love and the ultimate Union.
This is a musical journey that will leave you satisfied, but wanting more!
Basil Samara
1 Takasim Nahawand |
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2 Romance |
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3 Hijaz-kar |
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4 Taqasim Rast |
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5 Miniature |
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6 In Vienna |
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