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The Arabic word 'Alkimia' literally means 'The Transmutation'. When the Arabs entered Spain from North Africa in the 8th. Century they brought with them the learning of antiquity that would keep Europe from plunging into the depths of ignorance. Alchemy can be seen in many ways, from the elusive Philosopher's Stone to the quest for The Elixir Of Life, but all interpretations have one fundament in common, alchemy is about transformation, particularly using Natural Power. At its deepest level it is the Art of Spiritual Transformation. My composition is a tapestry of Spanish Buleria, Arabic melody, and African polyrhythm. It is my intention that it conveys a sense of power and a merging of elements which transmute into something distinct.
The story of the three princes is an interwoven compilation of old Indian and Persian tales. During their travels, the Princes "were always making discoveries by accident and sagacity of things they were not in quest of", which is how Horace Walpole offers us an insight into the word 'Serendipity' which he coined from the tale in 1754. The elements of this composition came to me separately and initially I didn't have any notion that they would work together. Being channelled through me, it is fortunate that I had the insight to serendipitously discern that they belonged together.
Preceding Anam Cara is a penny whistle rendition of the traditional 'Eanach Dhuín'. This haunting Irish lament was for the villagers who drowned in a tragic boat trip to Galway City in 1828. Anam Cara in Gaelic literally means 'soul friend', a joining of spirits in a timeless and ancient way and so I dedicate this tune to my beautiful partner María. The Crown represents the first of the Sefirot, 'Keter', within the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. In this Sefirah the concept of unity exists. Anam Cara, in its blending of Irish jig, African Abakwa polyrhythm and Spanish tanguillos, bears another vibrant union through this plexus of three cultures dear to me.
Jayena is a small village outside Granada City in southern Spain that is surrounded by stunning landscapes. In times of old this was a Moorish settlement and was known as Chayyana. This influence is reflected at the beginning of the tune and with the past being the dawn of more recent times, we come to a sunlit day in the village. A conversation begins between flute and guitar, and becomes more animated as the day flows past, until the night falls bringing the fiesta where everyone joins in the revelry, and distant echoes of the Moors ring in the fragrant warmth of the starlit sky.
The Dream Catcher originated from the Native American Ojibwe tribe. It was traditionally a willow hoop that in its centre was woven of nettle fibre in a spider web pattern. It was adorned with an owl's feather to give wisdom and an eagle's feather to give courage. Hung above the bed, the web is said to bestow the sleeper with good dreams only. In various spiritual teachings from Hinduism to Wicca, the Akasha is discerned as the ether, quintessence or fifth element. The all-pervasive life principle of the universe, a plane where all dreams and consciousness exist. It is made up of infinite dimensions and fills the whole of space, interpenetrating all matter.
The word Enchant comes from the Latin incantare, which means to sing a magic formula over. Enchantment is the power of the mystery of the unknown. The tasting of delights rarely or never experienced before, that which transports you to another hidden and deeper realm. In this work, the Arabic melody carries the listener to distant lands set in the sensual rhythm of Spanish tangos. Here we have an unusual kind of sadness, a melancholy that exudes a hauntingly beautiful type of joy. In the body, the Kundalini Serpent sleeps coiled in the host until woken by meditation, like the snake who charms the charmer.
With the Sanskrit root 'shak,' meaning 'to be able', Shakti in its broadest sense means Power. Shakti is seen as the Womb from which the Universe is given birth, the Divine Force, the Kundalini Serpent Power and the radiance in all beings. Shakti is the Mother of Nature and is Nature itself born of the creative play of Her consciousness. This idea of creation is not an event that occurred in some distant past. Creation is continuous and happening at every moment. In this, we return to the beginning of the cycle with Alkimia depicting the Power of Nature. This composition is for my beautiful daughter Shakti, who was born of this world only recently, and has already touched everyone she has met with her radiant light.