| Rumi Hafiz Cora | ||
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| This album is a selection of poems by thirteenth century Persian mystic poet Jelaluddin Rumi, and fourteenth century Persian mystic poet, Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz; with one poem by twentieth century Brazilian poet, Cora Coralina. They are read, in Portuguese translations, by Brazilian mythologist Luciana Mesquita, in a setting of original music composed by Brazilian avant gar-de composer Guilherme Vaz. Don't be put off by the Portuguese renderings. This album offers a rich, deep, evocative, and meditative listening experience, brilliantly capturing the essential feeling of longing, for unity with the beloved, that is at the heart of the work of these three great poets. You may not consciously understand the words, but you will feel the power, at some deeper level, of their spiritual truths. Mesquita's readings have the expressive resonant throaty quality heard in the best Brazilian singers, and Vaz's striking music, featuring sparse percussion, plucked and bowed contra bass, muted trumpet, tinkling chimes, and various sound effects; supports the texts with an inquiring, reaching, somewhat restless, but ultimately receptive ambience. The readings and the music together conduct an intense, yet relaxed and unhurried, slow-dance, taking up all the space, and more, needed to fully express the weight, depth and breadth these poems demand. The attractive twenty page booklet includes the Portuguese translations of all the poems with an English translation of the Cora Coralina poem. English versions of all the Rumi and Hafiz poems can be found in books readily available such as Coleman Barks', "The Essential Rumi", and Daniel Ladinsky's "The Gift - Poems by Hafiz, the great Sufi master".
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