Kabir says...
Instrumentation soprano and piano |
Other Information "Kabir says..." a setting of a poem by the 15th c Indian mystic Kabir, translated by American writer Bob Hays.
After being introduced to each other in Minneapolis, writer Bob Hays, sent Rosemary Duxbury his poetic translations of the 15th century Indian mystic Kabir. Bob’s version focuses on an inner experience Kabir was describing. It makes the point that the divine is to be found within the seeker’s own body and mind, revealed as light, sound a wave of bliss, a knowing or more expanded consciousness.
World Premiere performed by soprano Katerina Mina and pianist Andrea Benecke at St. Sepulchre´s Church in London 25th Feburary 2016.
´The shadow of love deepens on the body´s wall
Over the mind´s cities it is falling like evening
Throw open the western windows and vanish into twilight
Petals flicker open around the bright calyx
at the night´s heart your own heart
beyond night and day and dark and light
and you´re more awake now than you´ve ever been
you understand that this is love
you taste its honey on your tongue it rolls through your body like a wave
like a shimmer of bells like a lowing of blown conches
like a skirl of bagpipes in the empty palace
of the sea of splendors
Kabir says: listen friend if you want to see God
just look into the depths of your own body´
Poetry by Kabir (c.1440-1518)
Translation by Bob Hays
Recorded by mezzo soprano Bhawani Moennsad and pianist Symeon Ionnidis at the Berlin State Opera Rooms in 2015.
|
