VOICE OF DEEP SILENCE:
Monastery of the Assumption at Bet Gemal.
Performed by the Choir of
the Sisters of the Assumption Monastery.
Musica Sancta Vol. 4 50m
DDD.
Information from Yisrael David
Musica Sancta general
manager
.www.musicasancta.com
This is a hauntingly beautiful CD. It confirms the qualities of a deeper
association with our Creator far removed from all material distractions.
Reading the history of this group of sisters takes us back into the nethermost
Dark Ages. Most of the tracks on this CD are Arabic in origin. One cannot
but be entranced by the whole proceedings. The expert singing in a shimmeringly
clear acoustic has a breathtaking sense of 'being there'.
These are short items. The longest is a setting of four Psalms lasting almost
eight minutes. A real sense of occasion is gained when one listens to this
CD as a whole. The experience is deeply spiritual. This is aided by the the
accompanying booklet, which includes reproductions of ancient manuscripts
and detailed notes on the group's history and musical texts.
The concept of these recordings is a retrospect of our religious heritage:
vast and timelessness in its awesome message and no doubt deeply contemplated
by this religious group who live in seclusion barred from all earthly delights.
I cannot recommend this CD too highly both for its incandescent spirituality
and for its extreme example of a pious purity. A balm to us all in this troubled
world.
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
No rating applicable.
