Kudsi Erguner: ney, artistic direction, arrangments,
Tristan Driessens: oud,
Yiorgos Bereris: piano.
EN/ George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, whose teaching proposes work on oneself and on consciousness, profoundly influenced twentieth-century spirituality. After numerous journeys to the Middle East and Asia in search of spiritual traditions, he settled in France in the 1920s and inspired many artists and intellectuals. He transmitted his teaching notably through the “sacred movements” and through music, whose melodies were transcribed for piano by Thomas de Hartmann.
Drawing on sound archives, Kudsi Erguner Ney Flute Player, in collaboration with oud player Tristan Driessens and pianist Yiorgos Bereris, now offers a reinterpretation of these pieces as a meeting between the piano and the maqams of Sufi music, reflecting a spiritual teaching that is neither Eastern nor Western.
“Remembrance of a Forgotten Path” is a fresh, inspired work, rich in colors and moods, far removed from certain stilted interpretations of Gurdjeff/de Hartmann’s work. Instead, it approaches the material by seeking the original inspiration that gave rise to it, thereby shedding light on a picture that had become rather dull over the years. Throughout the album, the musicians engage in deep dialogue and listen intently to one another, and their level of interplay is admirable. The arrangements are one of the standout features, as they elegantly navigate the contrasts between solo and ensemble, and between theme and improvisation. In short, “Remembrance” is a highly successful work that deserves to be listened to again and again, and to which we wish every success.
Giovanni De Zorzi, Blogfoolf, Venice, Italy full article
