Sun on Water (Hussein Janmohamed) - Chronos Vocal Ensemble

Sun on Water
Chronos Vocal Ensemble
Toronto-based choral artist, composer and music facilitator Hussein Janmohamed draws on multidimensional aspects of his diverse cultural background, Ismaili intellectual heritage and personal musical experience in composing "Sun on Water" which finds its inspiration in the mystery of Canadian winter sunrises and depicts a sense of yearning for “ultimate union” between sky and water, light and dark, lover and Beloved.
The texts and music hold Sufi, Western choral and Christian traditions, Middle Eastern rhythms, Hindu and Indic Ismaili Muslim traditions in an integrated wholeness amplified by a vision of harmonious coexistence and peace.
"Sun on Water" was performed by the Chronos Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Jordan Van Biert, in November 2019 at St. Andrew's United Church, Edmonton to open the choir's 2019-2020 Season.
"Sun on Water" begins quietly as deep waters rumble underneath. Musical layers and ongoing repeated zikr amplify a longing for spiritual vision and unity. A burst of sun breaks forth. Yet, as the sun’s rays shimmer on the surface of the lake, the deep water still echoes their mutual yearning for ultimate union.
The lyrics invoke the word "Surya", Sanskrit for Sun, Supreme Light. And the composition then takes a line from Ismaili ginan "Ab Teri Mohabbat" by Pir Shams as well as a couple of lines from the Bible Psalm 130.
JollyGul.com appreciates that choral music of this type is new to many of us; we have lyrics, translations and brief explanations displayed as the performance progresses - we appreciate Hussein's help with this process even though he strongly prefers you experience and feel the different musical layers and words in your own individual way. We have deliberately avoided being over descriptive.
Our profound appreciation to Chronos Vocal Ensemble for permission to publish this textually enhanced version on JollyGul.com CZcams Channel for the benefit of our Jamat.
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Sun on Water
Chronos Vocal Ensemble
With Lyrics and Translations
Composer: Hussein Janmohamed
Conductor: Jordan Van Biert
Recording Engineering: Corey Haberstock
Audio Editing and Mastering: Jochen Eggert
Filming and Video Production: Steven Brese, Legacy Films
Lighting: Patrick Marchand
Video and Performance: Chronos Music Society of Alberta
Video Publisher: JollyGul.com
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Please consider supporting Chronos Vocal Ensemble as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic:
chronosvocalensemble.com/supp...
Visit Hussein Janmohamed's website:
www.husseinjanmohamed.com/​