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

Lyrics:

Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Golap-thar-gondho-bilay? (…the rose gives out its fragrance?)
Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Megher-pahar-brishti-jhoray? (…the clouds release the rain?)
Ei-duniay (…in this world)

Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Hashe-chad-akashe? (…the moon smiles in the sky?)
Jonaki-dhey-je-alo (…and the firefly glows…)
Mayabi-abeshe? (…in an air of enchantment?)

She-kotha-bhebe-bhebe (Pondering over all of this…)
Mon-amar-jay-hariye (…my mind becomes lost in wonderment…)
Dur-ojanay (…to a faraway, unknown place)

Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Golap-thar-gondho-bilay? (…the rose gives out its fragrance?)
Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Megher-pahar-brishti-jhoray? (…the clouds release the rain?)
Ei-duniay (…in this world)

Who made the clouds come by
So we can live and be?
Sending rain so soft and mild
Cleansing you and me?

Who gave me clear eyes to see
The moon when it beams?
He taught me how silent love can be
A road to your dreams

Who taught the mothers of the world
To love us the way they do?
When all the trials unfurl
All they think of is you

You still make me cry
You still make me laugh
Don’t let me ever forget
About our golden past

And so the world moves on its way
Newcomers join every day
Tomorrow they will say…

Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Golap-thar-gondho-bilay? (…the rose gives out its fragrance?)
Bolotho-kar-isharay (Tell me, on whose gesture…)
Megher-pahar-brishti-jhoray? (…the clouds release the rain?)
Ei-duniay (…in this world)

Malayalam words by Rafeeque Ahammed
Hindi words by Faez Choudhary
Music by Sami Yusuf
Produced & Arranged by Sami Yusuf

Recorded @ Andante Studios
Mixed & Mastered @Andante Studios
—-

Lyrics:
Malayalam Verse:

Jeevante nritham pole
Like the seasons of nature and life

Ororo poovum pullum neele
On your path to success, every plant and flower that acts as an umbrella

Theeratha kavyam theerpu
Life is like an eternal poem

Aa vinnil suryan porum
The Morning sun that shines your day

Ravakum tharajalam pookum
As well the stars that lit the sky for you

Kalathin thalam kelkan va
To let you hear the rhythm of life

Venal marum varsham peyyum
Come and witness the summer move aside for the rain to drop

Ushasandhyakalayi manasse padu
After the darkest night comes dawn

Thalarathe naam Thudaram yathra
so never back down and continue the journey

Hindi Verse:

Ye Subha Mein Ujala
This Brightness in the Morning

Ye Machalti Shaam Ka Roshan Tara
is like a glistening star on a fancy night

Kehta Hai Tu Bhi Aaa Jagmaga
that says “come and shine with me”

Ghani Hain Ye Rahen
The ways are thick

Judi Aise Jaise bahen
Combined as two arms

Manzil Pe tum gum Na ho Jana
Our point of destiny won’t be lost

Qadam Badha
Step Forward

Bulandi Pe Jaa
Reach the heights

Sapnay Tu Saja
Build all your dreams

Jalway tu Dikha
Come out in flying colors

Aman Ko Jaga
Bring peace

Ghamon Ko Bhula
Forget all the hardships