LOS ANGELES CA

MUSIC FROM INDIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST IN

WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC

The recently researched musical link between Sufism and Hinduism, through the mystic voice of the flute, will be presented in a concert entitled MYSTIC VOICES: MUSIC OF DEVOTION IN ISLAM AND HINDUISM on October 12, 1999, at 8 PM. The concert is part of the Festival of Sacred Music, a non-commercial and non-profit even initiated by HH the Dalai Lama to herald in the new millennium on a united spiritual-musical front. The festival represents a coming together of all cultures and faiths in the spirit of peace and understanding.  It will take place under the soaring Norman arches of the sanctuary of Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 3300 Wilshire Boulevard in mid-city.

Audiences will enjoy the extraordinary talents of Ali Jihad Racy on the nay flute, the divine vocalism of the renowned Lakshmi Shankar, the inspirational virtuosity of Manoochehr Sadeghi, the passionate evocations of Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy, who will sing contemporary songs about Krishna, and the transcendent melodies of David Philipson playing the bansuri flute from India. Emeritus UCLA Professor Nazir Jairazbhoy will introduce the program.

Tickets for MYSTIC VOICES are $10.00 general admission, $5.00 for seniors and students, and may be reserved by calling TICKETS L.A. at (323) 655-8587, or sending an e-mail with your name and number of tickets to MysticVoices@netscape.net. Your name will be on a list at the door on the evening of the concert.  You can pay at that time.   Sorry, no ATM or credit cards. Please bring exact change.  Please arrive early.

Can Islam and Hinduism unite on the grounds of mysticism and music? UCLA Professor Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy, curator of MYSTIC VOICES, researched the link between Sufism and Hinduism as it is manifested in the mystic voice of the flute, and has gathered together an outstanding array of artists to present the extraordinary outcome.

During this musical offering, the haunting sounds of Arab Sufism will emerge from the nay, played masterfully by Ali Jihad Racy, in intimate arrangements with Arab musicians. Rumi’s renowned Sufi poetry of longing will be sung in Persian by Manoochehr Sadeghi, accompanying himself with unparalleled virtuosity on the santur, and embellished by the ney and the whispering mesh frame drum of the dervishes. Hindu devotional poetry relating to the flute of Lord Krishna, the beguiling lover, will be interpreted through the exquisite voice of Lakshmi Shankar, in three classical Indian styles. Adding a contemporary element to this otherwise traditional program, Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy will present herself as the 16^th Century Indian medieval poet and singer Mirabai, expressing her passionate and erotic devotion to Krishna through a modern musical reinterpretation. To close, David Philipson will perform a powerful and inspirational set on the bansuri Indian flute.

The evening promises to be a deeply spiritual as well as musical journey, revisiting some of the most beautiful and profound musical expressions produced on the planet.