Rumi Symphony Project: Untold

by Nazeri,Hafez

Overview

Untold, the first cycle of Hafez Nazeri's ongoing Rumi Symphony Project, is a long vocal and instrumental suite, drawn from eastern and western classical traditions to cross over cultural boundaries. Based on the poetry of the 13th century Sufi mystic Rumi, the program is universal in intent, and the music carries the idea of transcendence through the blending of ancient Persian and Kurdish melodies with modern orchestral and choral sonorities. Nazeri's massive, open-ended form is purposely designed with future recordings in mind, and it provides ample room for expressing his ideas on the totality of existence; the themes he pursues are the stock in trade of contemporary mysticism. Instead of a conventional symphony, or even part of a symphony in the broadest sense, Untold is a series of loosely worked but ornate sections with connections to new age spirituality, as set out in the four Chapter headings -- I. Creation (Om), II. Existence, III. Untold, and IV. Eternal Return -- along with various esoteric sub-sections. This album may appeal to people who are interested in eastern thought, and perhaps secondarily in Persian music, which is the main source of Nazeri's inspiration. Furthermore, this disc may find a mixed audience among adult contemporary, international, and crossover fans. However, traditional classical listeners will find this work to be over-produced and off-putting for lacking a clear method or even a rationale for its formal shapelessness. Reception may depend most on one's openness to Nazeri's cosmic ideas, rather than on his skills as a composer. ~ Blair Sanderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/11/2014
Label:	Masterworks / Sony Classical
UPC:	0886978309020
Rank:	115785

Tracks

1. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 1. Creation (Om). Atomic Peace
2. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 1. Creation (Om). Dark Matter
3. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 2. Existence. Life
4. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 1: The Quest
5. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 2: Love
6. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 3: Understanding
7. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 4: Detachment
8. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 5: Unity
9. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 6: Wonderment
10. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 3. Untold. Stage 7: Absolute Nothingness
11. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Dance of the Galaxies
12. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Descent
13. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Freedom
14. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Solitude
15. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Ascent
16. Untold (Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle 1)~Chapter 4. Eternal Return. Eternity

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hafez Nazeri   Primary Artist,Setar,Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Matt Haimovitz   Cello
Glen Velez   Frame Drum
Zakir Hussain   Udu,Tabla
James Bagwell   Conductor
Johannes Moser   Cello
Paul Neubauer   Viola
Rumi Ensemble   Ensemble
Rumi Symphony Chorus   Choir/Chorus
Shahram Nazeri   Vocals

Technical Credits

David Lai   A&R
Deepak Chopra   Text Translation
Todd Whitelock   Engineer,Recording
Isaiah Abolin   Editing,Engineer,Recording
Steve Fallone   Editing
Beth Miller   Music Business Affairs
David Foil   Liner Notes
David Frost   Producer
Ian Cuttler   Photography
Wendy Laister   Liner Notes
Jennifer Liebeskind   Product Development
Oscar Zambrano   Editing
James Bagwell   Choral Adaptation
Hamid Reza Adab   Engineer,Recording
Leila Zelli   Booklet Design
Mahasti Afshar   Liner Notes
Brian Losch   Editing
Nancy Wertsch   Vocal Contractor
Hafez Nazeri   Editing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Recording,Liner Notes,Booklet Design,Creative Director
Thomas Lazarus   Mixing,Engineer,Recording
Takeshi Suga   Photography
Arash Adelpour   Editing,Engineer,Recording
Paul De Luna   Photography
Geoff Allan   Recording,Engineer
Susan Schiffer   Session Photographer
Greg Calbi   Mastering