Poem by Late Amir Khusro
Composed, Arranged and Perfomed by Hesham Abdul Wahab

Strings – Francis Xavier (Cochin Strings)

Recorded @ Andante Studios, Chetana Sound Studios, and Livewidmusic Studios
Mixed & Mastered @ Andante Studios
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Lyrics:
(Translation and transliteration):

Zehaal-e-miskeen makun taghaaful, Daraye naina banaye battiyan.
Do not overlook my misery, by blandishing your eyes and weaving tales,

Ke taab-e-hijran nadaaramay jaan, Na leho kaahe lagaaye chattiyan.
My patience has over-brimmed, O sweetheart!
why do you not take me to your bosom.

Shabaan-e-hijraan daraaz chuuzulf, Woroz-e-waslatu cho umr koutaah.
Long like curls in the night of separation short like life on the day of
our union.

Sakhi piya ko jo maina dekhun, To kaise kaatun andheri rattiyan.
My dear, how will I pass the dark dungeon night without your face
before.

Yakayakaz dil do chashm-e-jaadu, Basadfarepham beburd taskeen.
Suddenly, using a thousand tricks the enchanting eyes robbed me of my tranquil mind.

Kisay padi hai jo ja sunaaye, Piyare pee ko hamari battiyan,
Who would care to go and report this matter to my darling.

Chushamma sozan chuzarra hairaan, zamehere aapme
baghashtamaakhir
Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle, I roam about in the
fire of love.

Naneend naina nayang chainaa, Nayaap aayen nabhejen pattiyan,
Sleepless eyes, restless body, neither comes she, nor any message.

DESCRIPTION:

Composer Sami Yusuf’s mastery of musical languages dazzles in ‘L’Amour Vivant’.
The initial movement unfolds within the intricate geometry of the Baroque style,
a form that was imprinted on the composer’s soul during his upbringing in London
and that remains a cherished inspiration. From the start we hear the subtle
meeting of musical paths in the Arabic baladi rhythm that underlies the graceful melody.
The transition into the second movement transports the listeners to the heart of Sami Yusuf’s
other musical heritage, immersing them in the Central Asian Azerbaijani world.
The third movement revisits the Baroque sound before incorporating
the rich tonalities and nuanced rhythms of the Middle East and Persia,
seamlessly blending them into a sweeping soundscape.
The meditative sounds of the West African kora and the sensuous tones of the Chinese erhu then follow.
The final movement acts as a love letter to the world classical traditions encapsulated here,
skillfully weaving together the myriad emotions experienced throughout this journey in sound.

‘L’Amour Vivant’ is one of Sami Yusuf’s compositions from the second concert of his ‘When Paths Meet’ series.
It features The Sami Yusuf Ensemble, The Scoring Orchestra of Paris, The Métaboles,
and stellar soloists and specialist musicians in a stunning collaboration.
‘L’Amour Vivant’ is classical crossover at its most innovative.
Performed at the Paris Philharmonic.

CREDITS:

Composed and arranged by Sami Yusuf
French words: Thérèse de Lisieux
Uzbek words: Alisher Navoi
Arabic words: Suhrawardi
Turkish words: Kaygusuz Abdal
Performed at the Philharmonie de Paris

THE SAMI YUSUF ENSEMBLE:
Sami Yusuf: Composer & Director

Sami Yusuf: Vocals and Oud
Eyüpcan Açikpazu: Ney
Huseyin Can Pala: Baglama
Hasan Hekimoglu: Oud
Ilyos Arabov: Vocalist
Magsad Azizov: Balaban
Mahyar Toreihi: Santoor
Malik Mansurov: Tar
Ömer Avci: Percussion
Onur Cicin: Qanun
Ruven Ruppik: Bass Darbuka, Riq and Woodblock
Mohammad Jaberi: Daf

SPECIALIST INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL SOLOISTS:
Nabyla Maan: Vocals
Guo Gan: Erhu
Ballaké Sissoko: Kora
Antoine Morinière: Classical Guitar
Loriane LLorca: Organ
Eléonore Fourniau: Hurdy Gurdy
Nicolas Mackowiak: Harpsichord

THE SCORING ORCHESTRA OF PARIS:

Pierre-Adrien THÉO
Isabelle THEO
Jonathan GRIMBERT-BARRÉ

Violins 1:
Romuald Grimbert-Barré, first violin
Florian Jourdan
Clara Bourdeix
Madeleine Athané
Gladys Ledoux

Violins 2:
Michael Serra, lead violin
Pauline Gillet
Jérôme Merlet

Violas:
Maxence Grimbert-Barré, lead viola
Valentine Garilli
Axel Benedetti

Cellos:
Jérémie Billet, lead cello
Aurore Montaulieu

Contrabass:
Benoît Levesque

Percussions:
Florie Fazio

THE MÉTABOLES:
Choir Director: Félix Benati
Sopranos:
Émilie Husson
Anne-Claire Baconnais
Clara Penalva

Altos:
Laura Muller
Emmanuelle Monier
Caroline Chassany

Tenors:
Steve Zheng
Marco Van Baaren
Jean-François Chiama
Samuel Zattoni-Rouffy
Benoît Porcherot
Jérémie Couleau

Basses:
Laurent Bourdeaux
Jean-Sébastien Nicolas
Paul-Alexandre Dubois
Jean-Michel Durang

Mixed and Mastered by Vishnu Rajan