Browse by Label: LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)

Artist:	BASHIR & THE IRAQI TRADITIONAL MUSIC GROUP, MUNIR
Title:
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 2741321

"The great oud master Munir Bashir founded the Iraqi Traditional Music Ensemble in 1981 to help preserve the Iraqi and Arab musical heritage. The band contained some of the best Iraqi musicians, all experienced instrumentalists on traditional Iraqi and Arab instruments. It was composed like an Arab orchestra, with some forty musicians in all; groups of five musicians played the same instrument, but for the oud there were ten, with the celebrated Munir Bashir leading the section. The Iraqi group was idolized by the public. It played an important role in taking Iraqi music outside the national boundaries to an international level, and came to represent a special style in the field of instrumental music. It set an example for the coming generations who benefited from its experience; one notable successor is the Bayareq Band. Much of this fame was due to the great master Munir Bashir, who left an indelible imprint on the history of Iraqi music. On this CD, the common thread linking music from all the regions of Iraq is demonstrated with passion and the utmost virtuosity."

Artist:	BASHIR, MUNIR
Title:	Rhythm & Melodies
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 2741501

"The late Munir Bashir was known as 'The Emir of the Ud,' famous for his long, Indian raga-influenced improvisations. From an obscure instrument used in accompaniment, barely known outside the Arab world, the ud was to become, in his hands, a vehicle for a mystical or, to use his own expression, a 'metaphysical' musical language. The same phenomenon occurred with Munir Bashir as did Ravi Shankar: the rediscovery of a universal music transcending all frontiers. This previously-unreleased recording dates from the '80s, when Munir Bashir was making regular appearances on BBC TV. Most of what he performs here is Western music -- the theme tunes of famous alms or hit songs of the time."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	The Celestial Music of Ostad Elahi
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741026

Tremendous series of archival CDs by this late, rarely documented Iranian master of the tanbur lute, Ostad Elahi (1895-1974). This first volume features recordings from Tehran, 1964-72. For music of transcendational quality via stringed instruments, these are some of the most important releases of recent vintage. "Ostad Elahi is a fascinating figure, a unique 20th century musical giant. His whole adult life he worked as a magistrate in Iran, yet he was acclaimed as a musician embedded in a tradition of Islamic mysticism stretching back to the tenth century. Even after retiring aged 62, in order to devote himself full time to music and spiritual research, he never performed a concert either in public or for the radio. Elahi's instrument of choice was the humble Kurdish tanbour, a long-necked lute associated more with the epic ballads of central Asian nomads than the sophisticated delights of Persian classical music. In fact, Elahi doesn't play Persian classical in the strict sense, though that is one of the many traditions he studied. He is a prime example of a musician stepping out of the tradition, drawing on Persian, Azeri, pre-Islamic musics, even Kurdish popular tunes, stretching all forms to his own visionary purpose. Between 1964 and 1972. when Elahi was in his early 70s, someone finally got a microphone in front of him. These are no-nonsense, no-effects, mono recordings, and occasionally they sound like the teapot spilt on the tapes. But Elahi's earthy mysticism comes shining through, a relentless quest for the divine via the physical propulsion of playing, and then more playing.



       The Celestial Music Of Ostad Elahi is a good place to start. The opening 'Jab Shahi Suite' is 32 minutes of playing over the same drone, out Elahi shifts the tonal centre from mode to mode, so we feel the music is modulating naturally. Likewise his rhythmic sense is far from right. As his left hand flutters like a dragonfly in endless ornamentation, Elahi conducts the listener through metrical gear changes. This is spacious, large scale solo music, but never feels lost or meandering." -- Clive Bell/The Wire.

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	The Paths of Divine Love
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741083

Released in 2004. Part of a six-CD series of tambur lute music from this legendary Iranian musician. "The quest for Divine Love is the theme that runs throughout each of the pieces found on this CD. Love, passion, and the pain of separation from the Creator is evoked in the Tarz and Shâh Hoseyni Suites, as is the progression toward Divine love in the Haft Khân-e Rostam Suite. In the final piece, Hal Parka, the listener witnesses the ecstasy of the encounter with the Beloved. Unusual chromaticisms and harmonic and rhythmic subtleties follow one another in endless creativity." -- Nour Foundation

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Dialogue with the Beloved
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741100

Released in 2004. Part of a 6CD series. Music for the tanbur by the master musician from Iran -- recorded in Tehran, 1964-72. "Ostad Elahi is a fascinating figure, a unique 20th century musical giant. His whole adult life he worked as a magistrate in Iran, yet he was acclaimed as a musician embedded in a tradition of Islamic mysticism stretching back to the tenth century. Even after retiring aged 62, in order to devote himself full time to music and spiritual research, he never performed a concert either in public or for the radio. Elahi's instrument of choice was the humble Kurdish tanbour, a long-necked lute associated more with the epic ballads of central Asian nomads than the sophisticated delights of Persian classical music. In fact, Elahi doesn't play Persian classical in the strict sense, though that is one of the many traditions he studied. He is a prime example of a musician stepping out of the tradition, drawing on Persian, Azeri, pre-Islamic musics, even Kurdish popular tunes, stretching all forms to his own visionary purpose. Between 1964 and 1972. when Elahi was in his early 70s, someone finally got a microphone in front of him. These are no-nonsense, no-effects, mono recordings, and occasionally they sound like the teapot spilt on the tapes. But Elahi's earthy mysticism comes shining through, a relentless quest for the divine via the physical propulsion of playing, and then more playing."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Celestial Harmonies
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741122

Recordings from Tehran, 1964-72 (with one excerpt from 1950!). Compositions, modes and improvisations on the tanbur lute. "Ostad Elahi makes use of all the polyphonic possibilities offered by this instrument...doubling certain patterns to produce parallel fourths while integrating dissonance through daring finger techniques. His intimate relationship with his instrument and total lack of inhibition are the secret behind his music, power and audacity of which may at times seem to part even with the tradition of middle-eastern music."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Cascade
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741150

One 48-minute piece, recorded in Tehran around 1970. Compositions, modes and improvisations on the tanbur lute. "Some of the melodies in this composition originate from the repertory of a classical Iranian music, expressing a state of inner rapture where the intensity would cause steel to melt. approximately forty minutes in length, the Qatar suite on this CD is considered the most complete among the recordings that remain of Ostad Elahi's music...Accentuation and repetition of notes, pure and ornamented motifs, breaks in harmony and rhythm, alternation of melodic fragments and organized flights, disconnections and continuous flows: all converge to form a veritable aesthetic discourse that Ostad Elahi builds and structures based upon a heterogeneous musical subject that maximizes the potential of his instrument."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Celestial Danses
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741327

... The art of oriental tanbur lute. "This is the seventh CD by the great tanbur player Ostad Elahi (1895-1974) to be reissued by Le Chant du Monde. Born in a Kurdish village in Western Iran, Elahi was a child prodigy who by the age of nine was considered already to be a master of the tanbur. He followed a career as a magistrate while continuing his musical studies, but chose to remain anonymous even though word had spread far beyond Iran of his remarkable talents. Efforts to transcribe his music were thwarted by its complexity, but fortunately amateur recordings were made and it is thanks to these that this remarkable music can be heard today. The first two of the the four tracks presented here were recorded in Tehran in the mid-'60s, the second two in the early '50s."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Une Épopée Spirituelle
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	CD
Price:	$18.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741432

This series of archival CDs by this late, rarely documented Iranian master of the tanbur lute, Ostad Elahi (1895-1974) continues on -- unbelievably. With each inspiring volume, it can be said again: for music of transcendational quality via stringed instruments, these are some of the most important releases of recent vintage. "This is the eighth volume in Le Chant du Monde's impressive reissue featuring the works of the great Iranian musician Ostad Elahi. Elahi was a child prodigy who by the age of nine was considered already to be a master of the tanbur (lute). He followed a career as a magistrate whilst continuing his musical studies, but shunned fame for anonymity even though word had spread far beyond Iran of his remarkable talents. Efforts to transcribe his music were thwarted by its complexity, but fortunately amateur recordings were made and it is thanks to these that this remarkable music can be heard today. The four tracks presented here were all recorded at Elahi's house in Tehran between 1964 and 1971."

Artist:	ELAHI, OSTAD
Title:	Destinations
Label:	LE CHANT DU MONDE (FRANCE)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$24.00
Catalog #:	CDM 7741626

This is the 9th volume of Elahi recordings on this label, documenting his dedication to "the art of oriental tanbur lute". By European standards, this is somewhat budge-priced for 2 CDs. These previously unissued recordings date from the early 70s (with one track from the late 50s!). It's worth saying again: for music of transcendational quality via stringed instruments, these are some of the most important releases of recent vintage. "A mystic amongst men, Ostad Elahi's profound reflection on the relationship between music, the soul and god enabled him to transmit an entire musical heritage of popular origin through transforming it into music of the most classical type."

Previous Page Index of Labels Next Page