David Dalle
Thursday November 14th, 2013 with David Dalle
The Manganiyar Seduction, Sibelius' 5th symphony

Today's show features a truly spectacular and unique recording. A live recording of the Manganiyar Seduction, a theatrical musical piece conceived by Roysten Abel. A piece which features 38 Manganiyar musicians and singers from Rajasthan, India. In a piece nearly 70 minutes long it is based on "Alfat Un Bin In Bin" a Sufi poem by Bulleh Shah, it weaves through many different soloists and instruments. It is a visceral, astonishing musical experience and although based on the virtuostic traditional music of the Manganiyars, is unique in the large number of instruments and musicians playing together in a single piece. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! The second major piece we hear today is Jean Sibelius' 5th symphony, one of my favourites, a glorious piece which sweeps all cares away and makes the soul soar. Today we hear this piece in a gorgeous performance by Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic, he takes slower tempos than usual, but to great effect, not just in bringing out the many details beautifully, but it actually amplifies the impact of the transcendent climaxes. Sibelius' 5th symphony is being performed in Ottawa by the NAC Orchestra Nov 20-21, more information at: http://nac-cna.ca/en/orchestra/event/5160