Groovily Exotic – Jarvi Rocks the Band
Fest 08: Absolute Arabian
Groovily Exotic – Jarvi Rocks the Band
The Arabian stallions of Middle Eastern music will unite with the “musical omnivores” of contemporary music to bring Absolute Arabian Nights – a combination of classical music and jazz infused with the sound and spirit of the Middle East.
This extraordinary sonic journey through a still largely unfamiliar, ambiguous world, Absolute Arabian Nights addresses something even more current and important. Imagine a group of 20 or so New Yorkers, witnesses to the aftermath of September 11, living every day in the bubbling controversy that is America. Visualise those same New Yorkers banding together with musicians from the Middle East and with no words at all sending out one big message to the world – make music together.
“Arabian Night’s ... unending rhythmic vitality ... simmers in an exotic stew of funk, jazz, blues, and klezmer.” Palm Beach Post
This East-meets-West project, sponsored by Newstalk ZB, combines today's orchestral instruments with ageless Arabic instruments and singing styles. This results in a programme of music that has exquisitely meditative solos, contrasted by the whirling winds and erupting rhythm section of the Absolute Ensemble.
It is directed by Kristjan Järvi, who has been described by the New York Times as “a kinetic force on the podium, Leonard Bernstein reborn as a conductor of fusion bands”, and created by Järvi and Swiss composer and saxophonist Daniel Schnyder.
As an arranger/composer Daniel Schnyder has produced albums for jazz artists, including a variety of projects that merge Arab music and Chinese music elements with jazz and classical music.
This exclusive NZ
International Arts Festival appearance will also feature
guest soloists: the “Bob Dylan of the Middle East” -
Marcel Khalife on oud (lute), on vocals and hand percussion,
Bachar Khalife and Bassam Saba on Ney (the Arabian flute).
This concert is not a political statement; it is a
celebration of the rich language of music. One night only
– a musical treat for all lovers of fine music and
jazz.
More on Absolute Ensemble
The Absolute Ensemble
was founded by Kristjan Järvi in 1993 to integrate, not
segregate, categories of contemporary music. Fusing its
classical roots with everything from jazz and rock to world
music and hip-hop, their inventive and daring combinations
of styles have won exciting attention from audiences
worldwide and music press. The ensemble features classic
works of pop and jazz by The Beatles, Charles Mingus, Frank
Zappa and John Adams, and also the more traditional type of
classics by composers such as Bach, Stravinsky and
Schoenberg. Guest artists with the group have included
classical pianists Vladimir Feltsman and Joseph Kalichstein,
and also jazz stars such as Paquito d'Rivera, Dave Taylor
and Kenny Drew. The group has toured Europe, Central America
and Australia, and has performed in New York at such venues
as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and Alice Tully Hall.
The ensemble continues to generate new projects, including a
collaboration with the late composer/musician Joe Zawinul.
They have released eight albums, been nominated for a Grammy
and won the German Record Prize.
More on Daniel
Schnyder
Daniel Schnyder is known as a composer/performer
with a dynamic reputation in both jazz and classical fields.
He has recorded over 10 CDs of his own music for Enja
Records, Koch Jazz, Universal, Arabesque and Red Records. As
a performer Daniel has toured and recorded with many
well-known classical musicians, world-music artists and jazz
artists.
More on Marcel Khalife
Marcel Khalifé, the
Lebanese musician and writer, UNESCO Artist for Peace
studied, then taught, the oud, or Arabic lute, at the Beirut
National Conservatory. He began his career as a soloist and
went on to create the group“Al Mayadine” in his home
village, to preserve the Arabic musical heritage with the
oud.
The ensemble became an instant success in Lebanon
and its reputation soon spread abroad. They went on to tour
other Arab countries as well Africa, Europe, the United
States, Canada, South America, Australia and Japan. The
group is regularly invited to perform in internationally
renowned festivals.
Mr Khalifé is also a composer of
Oriental dance and film music, inspired by major,
contemporary Arab poets. At the vanguard of innovative
Middle-Eastern music, Khalifé’s original music makes him
an ambassador of his culture. He has written several books
on music.
Classical music meets jazz, free improvisation,
and traditional
“Arab music in a fusion of opulent
orchestra colors, rhythms, and
electronic
music.”
KURIER BREMEN
Absolute Arabian will be
performed on Thursday 6 March, 7.30pm at the Michael Fowler
Centre.
Please note the Absolute Ensemble will be
performing another concert on Wednesday 5 March – Absolute
Mahler
ENDS
Website: www.nzfestival.nzpost.co.nz