CONSTANTINOPLE – Bach in dialogue with poems of Omar Khayyam (fvll concert)

Even if more than 600 years separates the life of John-Sebastien Bach (1685 -1750) and Omar Khayam (1048 -1131), these two genius were made to meet each other. Their visions of the world, as a perfect match of mathematics mastery and a super high level of spirituality, bring these two men in a delightful dialogue and traces a clear path to the sublime. In this program Constantinople brings these two artists into a dialogue, where the sacred and spirituality transcend borders.

For this occasion Constantinople proposes arrangements of some of the most beautiful spiritual songs and arias of JS Bach in dialogue with poems of Omar Khayyam, in Persian, set to music by Kiya Tabassian, inspired by Bach’s musical material and responding to Bach’s songs.

Première at Internationales Bachfest Schaffhausen May 2022.

Constantinople is a Montreal-based early music and middle eastern music ensemble. The group was formed in 1988 by brothers Kiya Tabassian (setar) and Ziya Tabassian (tombak). The sétar and tombak are complemented by viola da gamba, renaissance cornett, and daf.

Bach en dialogue avec des poèmes d’Omar Khayyam

Même si plus de 600 ans séparent les vies de Jean-Sébastien Bach (1685 -1750) et d’Omar Khayyam (1048 -1131), leurs génies étaient faits pour se rencontrer. Leur vision du monde, un parfait mélange de maîtrise des mathématiques couplé à un haut niveau de spiritualité, met en dialogue ces deux hommes en traçant un chemin vers le sublime.

Dans cette nouvelle création, Constantinople propose des arrangements d’oeuvres et d’airs parmi les plus belles et spirituelles pièces de Jean-Sébastien Bach, en dialogue avec des poèmes d’Omar Khayyam chantés en persan et mis en musique par Kiya Tabassian, en réponse aux arias de Bach.

1st concert of 22th Season, 14 October 2023, Montreal, Salle Bourgie

Constantinople
& Hana Blažíková: soprano
Kiya Tabassian: setar, voice & leader
Didem Basar: kanun
Neva Özgen: kemenche
Tineke Steenbrink: positif organ
Johanna Rose: viola da gamba
Tanya LaPerrière: baroque violin & viola d’amore
Michel Angers: theorbo
Patrick Graham: percussions

PROGRAM:

00:21 Ach, dass nicht die letzte Stunde, Johann Sebastian Bach, BWV 439 / Schemellis Songbook
Hengame Sabouh, Kiya Tabassian, RK 178 / Robaiyat-e Khayam

08:23 Zerfließe, mein Herze, J.S. Bach, BWV 245 / Passio secundum Johannem

15:10 In ghafeleye Omr, Kiya Tabassian, RK 66 / Robaiyat-e Khayam // Buzurg Pishrow, Dimitrie Cantemir (1673-1723)

26:20 Vergiss mein nicht, BWV 505 / Schemellis Songbook
Khayam agar ze badeh masti khosh bash, Kiya Tabassian, RK 116 / Robaiyat-e Khayam

34:06 Prelude & Bist du bei mir’ BWV 508 / Notenbuch der Anna Magdalena Bach

39:44 Warum betrübst du dich, J.S. Bach , BWV 516 / Notenbuch der Anna Magdalena Bach
Asrare azal, Kiya Tabassian, RK / Robaiyat-e Khayam

47:27 Kanun solo, Didem Basar

50:01 Quia Respexit, J.S. Bach, BWV 243 / Magnificat

52:52 La Fugua, K. Tabassian

56:27 Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt, J.S. Bach, BWV 4

01:01:13 Ich ende behende, J.S. Bach, BWV 57

01:05:36 Chaconne de Khayyam, Yaran-e movafegh, Kiya Tabassian, RK 95 / Robaiyat-e Khayam

01:09:41
Ich lege mich in diese Wunden (Rezitativ), J.S. Bach, BWV 199