Alla Borzova, composer, Majnun Songs, a solo cantata for tenor and ensemble, poetry by Majnun, a 7th century Arabic Bedouin poet

Solo cantata for tenor and ensemble (flute, riq-Egyptian tambourine, and string quartet). Performance includes female Arabic dancer. Poems by Majnun, a 7th century Bedouin Arabic poet, free English translation by Ann Michael. Performers: James Rio, tenor, Nadia Moussa, dancer, the Naumburg Award winning ensemble The Da Capo Chamber Players and guest musicians: Patricia Spencer, flute, Victor Schultz, violin, David Bowlin, violin, Loius Martin, viola, Andre Emelianoff, cello, Daniel Mallon, riq, Alla Borzova, conductor. October 20, 2002, Sonic Boom music festival, The Knitting Factory, New York City. The titles of the movements: Prelude, 1. I am pining, 2. Sorrow’s wind sighs in the desert, 3. Paradise beckons, 4. Caressing your soft footmarks which kissed sand (solo), 5. Love captured me (with dancer), 6. Prayer, 7. Hymn, Postlude.

Program notes: Throughout his life Majnun ("a madman" in Arabic) wrote exclusively about his all-consuming passion for his beloved Laila. Majnun and Laila, cousins, belonged to the same Bedouin nomad tribe, grew up together and fell in love. Laila was not allowed to marry Majnun because her father thought that he disgraced her by his poems. Separated from Laila, the love-mad poet continued seeking her all his life. His abiding love, renunciation, grief and pain are embodied in poetry of transcendental depth and inexpressible beauty. Majnun spent his last years in the desert, drawing Laila's profile on the sand and talking with the wind. His only companions were gazelles, who reminded him of Laila...

Majnun Songs incorporates Middle-Eastern musical ideas with elaborated contemporary and non-traditional vocal and instrumental techniques.©Alla Borzova