SONGS OF THE SOUL

PROGRAM NOTES 2009

Welcome to Songs of the Soul, a concert series celebrating the music of Sri Chinmoy. During his lifetime, Sri Chinmoy composed thousands of short lyrical songs, alternating between English and his native language, Bengali. Tonight, his students from various countries will offer their interpretations and arrangements of some of these pieces.

Each of Sri Chinmoy’s songs expresses something of the human condition – the search for meaning and happiness; the ideals of truth and peace; a sense of wonder at the beauty of nature.

His melodies capture the enchanting rhythms of the Indian sub-continent and uniquely lend themselves to the exotic instruments of the East – sitar, erhu, santoor, harmonium and tabla – as well as traditional Western instruments. Sri Chinmoy himself regularly used to perform on the esraj, a bowed instrument from northern India.

Sri Chinmoy believed that music is a universal language through which the hearts and minds of the audience and the performers can blend together. Music carries us beyond barriers of race, language and culture. “It is through music,” he wrote, “that the universal feeling of oneness can be achieved in the twinkling of an eye.”

He urged: “Let us not try to understand music with our mind. Let us not even try to feel it with our heart. Let us simply and spontaneously allow the music-bird to fly in our heart-sky.”

THE EVENING’S PROGRAM

Dundubhi Dikel
•  (Switzerland): Classical violin

Adesh Widmer & Sadanand  Magee
•   (Switzerland/Ireland): Sitar and tabla

Sri Chinmoy Bhajan Singers
•  (International): Instrumental and vocal ensemble

Adarsha Kelly
•  (Scotland): Tenor solo

Equinox
•  (USA): Jazz sounds on guitar, soprano saxophone and flute

Rupali
•  (International): A cappella women’s chorus

Mandu & Visuddhi Trummer
•  (Austria): Haunting harp and erhu

Paree’s International Group
• : A choral presentation

Video of Sri Chinmoy
• : Playing a selection of musical instruments

Gandharva Loka Orchestra
•  (International): Contemporary fusion

Note: A CD of sample tracks of tonight's performance will be available for sale as a limited release.
 

Further Reading

• More on the Artists
• Selected Writings by Sri Chinmoy

Music, Mantra & Meditation

A three-day workshop – Free admission

Join Ashirvad Zaiantchick for a deep and powerful experience of meditative music, mantras and
inspiring meditation techniques. Ashirvad studied with Sri Chinmoy for 14 years and travels the
world offering free workshops.

 Call 206-322-2600 for free registration.
You can also register for Music, Mantra & Meditation tonight. Drop by our table before
or after the concert.

To find out more about our classes please visit
Seattle Meditation

•  Photos From Concert