Download ‘Glorification’ here http://andnt.co/Glorification
Download/Stream the album here http://andnt.co/SYDubaiOpera
Buy the DVD+CD here http://andnt.co/SYDubaiOpera-DVD
Composed, arranged and performed by Sami Yusuf
Words by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mode: Aeolian
Performed live at the Dubai Opera, musically speaking, this piece is a marriage between East and West. The composition incorporates traditional instruments of the eastern and western parts of the Muslim world underpinned by a Western/European modal system. This piece showcases the superb virtuosity of the musicians for it stretches the boundaries of what can be played on such instruments. The subject is the Supreme Reality (known in the Islamic tradition as ALLAH), which according to the Islamic tradition has ninety-nine beautiful Names. Some are ’Jamālī’ (feminine/beautiful) and some as ‘Jalālī’ (masculine/majestic). Sami Yusuf’s composition strikes a balance between the two as do the profound lyrics.
For this special performance, an open call went out to singers in the UAE to audition for the choir. A panel of judges helped choose the winners who embarked on rigorous training before their captivating live performance.
Lyrics
The high heavens exalt Your Name,
From which all names take their grace.
Timeless glories mark out Your reign,
From Your lofty dwelling place.
Understanding, bounteous One,
Eternal gift of plenty;
Omniscient, just and divine,
Our Judge in all Your glory.
[Arabic:]
The high heavens exalt Your Name,
From which all names take their grace.
O Most Magnificent, O Most Forbearing and the Only One
Everlasting blessings come from Your gifts
You give breeze to the wheeling birds
Sustained high up in the sky,
as You nurture us here on earth.
In Your warmth we glorify.
You sent messengers to us, Lord,
Revealing Your word and light.
You taught the scale above the sword,
Your justice is all men’s right.
[Arabic:]
We seek forgiveness from God
Led by Mohammed’s great banner,
So make the prophet my intercessor
Your forgiveness is my plea.
Performers (From right to left):
Seyyed Mohammad Jaberi: Daf, Bendir, Dayre & Vocals
Ömer Avci: Dohol, Bendir, Kudum & Vocals
Abbas Karacan: Bass Darabuka, Bendir & Tef
Mustafa Olgan: Qanun & Vocals
Selim Boyaci: Oud & Vocals
Seyed Ali Jaberi: Tanbour, Tar & Vocals
Türker Dinletir: Ney, Zourna & vocals
Adem Tosunoglu: Baglama, Tanbur, Kemançe & Vocals
Farshad Mohammadi: Santoor & Vocals
Jon Lawton: Classical Guitar, Tanbour & Vocals
AND
Sami Yusuf: Vocal, Piano, Tar, Oud & Tonbak
Backing Vocalists (From the right):
Sami Mohammad Ahmad Alhaj: Bass
AbdulRazzak Barma: Baritone
Abeer El Sayed Ahmad: Mezzo-Soprano
Nancy Al Baltaji: Contra-Alto
Guest Backing Vocalists for ‘Glorification’:
Abdallah Taha El-Khatib
Sarah Mustafa
Erfan Shekarriz
Eisar Alkhalifa
Haider Khan
Abdulrahman Bechir
Maria Ollero Sunyer
Mishlien Alkhoury
Hajar El Harrak
Yara Mohamed Ahmed Amin
Mays Albeik
Hamed Al Herbawi
Executive Producers: Ahmed Salim, Sami Yusuf, Christine Hoechstoetter
Recording Engineer: Peter Herrmann
Mixed and Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video Editing and Postproduction by Omar Habib @ Andante Studios
Colour Grading @ Elements Cine Productions
Filmed by 2Shoes (London, UK)
Graphic Design & Artwork: Kwame Busia
Additional Graphics & Design: Mahdi Jahangir
*Special thanks to ‘Nassim Al-Saba’ Choir, Dubai Opera and the casting judges: Zoe Richards, Shaza Shannan, Joseph Fowler and Ahmed Salim.
*Filmed live thanks to the generous support of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
The DVD (+ Audio CD) includes 19 tracks, 4 Bonus tracks + Behind The Scenes, Exclusive Interview with Sami Yusuf as well as a beautifully designed comprehensive booklet with detailed descriptions for all songs.
Buy the DVD+CD here http://andnt.co/SYDubaiOpera-DVD