Lessons From Nightingales: Songs Of Sufi Mysteries
Blue Heron, 2025
9/10
Listen to Lessons From Nightingales: Songs Of Sufi Mysteries
A very involved collaboration between Boston choir Blue Heron and the Grammy-nominated composer/multi-instrumentalist Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, these world premiere recordings take inspiration from the two principal Turkish traditions of Sufi mysticism.
The first half of the listen belongs to the 5 chapters of “The Triumph”, where harmonizing vocals and dense drumming are met with Beth Bahia Cohen’s strategic yaylı tanbur, Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol’s animated ney and worldly percussion thanks to George Lernis and Tareq Rantisi that adds much to the rich textures.
“Devran” occupies the rest of the listen, and blends the sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors and bass vocals into a a cappella masterpiece with strong attention to tonality and color.
A truly captivating effort that recruits jazz ideas and polyphony dynamics, all the players and vocalists in attendance help create a world music and choral masterpiece.
Travels well with: David Handler- Life Like Violence; John Luther Adams- An Atlas Of Deep Time