An incredible musical journey….
TALES FROM THE ORIENT takes audience members on a journey from the western shore of the ancient city of Istanbul through Syria, Jordan, Jerusalem, Persia and beyond.
Presented by Michael Pignéguy & The Awakenings Ensemble
“...music enthused by the sights and sounds of the region, reflected in rhythms, melodies and chords redolent of exotic voyages and movie scores...”
— David Cusworth, The West Australian
Singapore Highlights Video
July 29 launch on YOUTUBE
In September of 2023 THE AWAKENINGS ENSEMBLE presented their TALES FROM THE ORIENT show at The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay in Singapore over a number nights to over 2000 people.
Head over to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL to see highlights of the group's final show!
Singapore 2023 - Full Highlights video on YouTube
THE SHOW
presented by
Michael Pignéguy
PART 1 | Istanbul to Jerusalem
Heart of The Bosphorus - Sounds of land and sea collide on the Bosphorus, the body of water that separates Avrupa Yakası on the western shore of Istanbul from its eastern neighbour, Anadolu Yakası. Maksum rhythms are combined with the Hijaz maqam to create a flowing composition which communicates a sense of travel and adventure.
Pazardabal Var - A bustling souk is brought to mind via the frenetic rhythms and bouyant melodies of this traditional Turkish composition. The time signature of 9-8 sees the musicians explore phrases that sit over the recurring 2-2-2-3 pattern rather than more regular 3-3-3 groupings more commonly found in Western Music.
Grace - A sense of longing and melancholy is invoked in this piece which seeks to describe the feeling of being a great distance away from loved ones when only memories and fleeting images seem to sustain connection.
Black Iris - The national flower of Jordan is the focus of this beautiful and haunting composition based around the Wahda rhythm. A tableau of contrasting musical textures seeks to highlight the natural diversity of this small country from its bustling capital to the stark, Martian-like landscapes of Wadi Rum in the south.
Zornery - Using traditional Rumba rhythms as its basis, Zornery weaves free-flowing melodies over a rich percussive bed. With the ensemble divided into two different sections there is constant movement between tension and release as its musical story unfolds.
Dark Days - This melancholy and sometimes desperate composition allows the musicians to reflect on the tragic events of Syria’s prolonged civil war. Ney flute is the featured instrumental voice and is the perfect choice to convey the recurring plaintive Aeolian melody which maintains a dialogue with its Lydian counterpart played by the oud. A third section is introduced only once as a release after work’s biggest crescendo before the return of the Ney.
Tatar Tanz - Drawing its inspiration from the Tatar ethnic group, this high energy composition has celebration at its core. A powerful opening solo melody is soon contrasted with a simple repetitive percussion rhythm before the entire ensemble is unified at the entry of the second melody.
PART 2 | Cairo to Pakistan
Tahrir - Originally composed as a reaction to the Arab Spring, this work seeks to synthesise the feelings of struggle and hope as peoples across the region sought to re-calibrate the balance of power, culture and freedom in their respective countries. The name comes from Cairo’s central Tahrir (freedom) Square in Egypt’s most populous city. Musically, the characteristic sound of Hijaz maqam is combined with the driving Saidi rhythm to create a powerful & dynamic composition.
For Those Who Have Not - The haunting sound of this piece’s main melody is created with the use of the Rast maqam written in 3-4 time. The large melodic leaps and the transparent supporting texture result in a feeling of yearning which aims to tell the story of Cairo’s less fortunate citizens who struggle in day to day life.
The Happy Sheik - A lyrical oud introduction soon gives way to driving Khaleeji rhythms initiated by darabuka. Oud retains its opening leadership role as the first part of the main melody is stated before the remaining members of the ensemble join one by one. Solo features include soprano saxophone, voice and trombone.
Bazaar - Sensory overload is a common experience for visitors to any typical bustling and diverse Oriental bazaar. Through the expansive use of an up tempo variation of the Khaleeji rhythm and the hijaz maqam, this work seeks to take listeners on a dawn to dusk excursion through vaulted avenues where excitable purveyors seek to attract the attention of busy shoppers while children’s eyes remain wide with wonder at diversity of sights, sounds and smells.
Ala Mowj Elbar - Ideas of love and romance are conveyed in this traditional work where physical beauty is compared to moonlit waves that lap gently on a Persian shore. The composition opens with an initial statement from the Oud. The musical torch is then handed to piano before the rest of the ensemble enters to weave a beautiful melody over a lush harmonic bed.
Relentless - Our musical journey draws to a close with a driving World Music composition so described as it brings together the voice of Pakistani singer, Nadeem Abbas (sampled in this setting) and an angular jazz influenced melody. Underpinning the work are a hypnotic bass line and powerful drums. The unlikely guest in this melange is the aboriginal didgeridoo which seems to transmit the unsettled musical energy out through the audience on a potentially epic journey.
Where will we travel?
Our musical journey takes us from Istanbul, Turkey all the way to Karachi, Pakistan. Along the way we pass through Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Abu Dhabi , Iran and Pakistan. It is certainly a dynamic and exciting musical experience!
Listen up.
Listen to a selection of the music we feature in the show. This features both originals, improvisations as well as classics from the repertoire.
