Instrumentation: Soprano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, trombone, french horn, synthesizer, tar, tombak, kamanche, daf, percussion.
Commissioned by: Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto
Duration: 15:00 min
Composition date: 2018
World Premiere: November 2nd and 3rd, 2018 at Agricola Lutheran Church
Description
This is a composition that in three sections which was part of the bigger project called The Journey, Notes of Hope that was put together by Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto. It is a project where it tells the story of displacement, diaspora, and migration. The ensemble consisted of different refugees and new-comers artists in Toronto. The project was generously supported by the Toronto Arts Council. The music is set to poems by Bänoo Zan.
The text:
“The Hajj Pilgrim”
Khoda,
They say
you are a man
in tavaaf
on the Day of ‘Arafah
stoning the Shaytan9
They say
you are a woman
covering your breasts
from the na-mahram
your long hair in hijab
They say
you are angry
never drink or dance
never smile
But I’ve seen you
with Mohammad
in intimate embrace of
religion and justice
chaste and naked
You love like a man
give up everything
for a kiss
You love like a woman
want everything
in a kiss
I heard
you are converting
from you
to the lover
that you are
Wash blood
off bombs and believers
Mourn the loss of innocence
in the ritual of need
Shave your head
Cut your nails
Wrap yourself in ihram
and join the humble crowd
that dies f
or a visit
from you
Letter to My Father
The oceans
at your feet
experience
the sky
The waves
a weaving mosaic
How could I see
so much blue
I don’t remember
wings
We climbed down
the stairs
had no word
for words
in the space
so us
Thanks an ocean
Baba
for inviting the desert
to the sea
Is that what
Behesht looks like
you and me
and waters
Hafez
I stood at the gates
The Roknabad Stream murmured through
Mosalla Gardens
Roses scattered the morning breeze
The sea kissed the boat
and waved at the palace
The king smiled at sycophant ghazals
I was the bard
the blood of the city
the breath of God
Centuries later they would say
that I loved Shiraz
But I feared tempests
and remained true to the past
Open my book
and read your future
Pouya Hamidi 