Ancient Egypt – A Tribute (1979)

1. The Lamentations of Isis	3:07               play
2. The Land Of The Blessed	6:55
3. Hymn to Osiris	5:28
4. The Boat of Millions of Years	4:52
5. The Holy Lotus	3:38	                   play
6. Funeral Procession	5:06	
7. Hymn For The Sunrise	5:23
8. The Triumph Of The Deceased	5:30

Performer: Ali Jihad Racy

Ali Jihad Racy is an established performer, ethnomusicologist, and specialist on music of the Near East. He has performed extensively in his country of birth, Lebanon, as well as in the U.S. and Canada. Racy is a virtuoso on the nay and buzuq, and also plays the violin, rababah, daff, and arghul.

This musical tribute to ancient Egypt was originally composed in 1978 for the King Tutankhamun Exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. It was inspired by the artistry of the ancient treasures and the religious symbolism of the Egyptian Book of the Dead which suggested the titles of the compositions. Played continuously during the exhibit, the music had a distinctively haunting and meditative effect. The recording is unique in that it is the creation of an accomplished Arab artist who captures the essence of Near Eastern sound and presents it in a contemporary innovative musical idiom.

Only traditional Near Eastern instruments were used in making this recording. The nay, an open-ended reed flute, can be heard throughout either as a solo or a background instrument . On selection number 6, the nay is replaced by a salamiyyay, a small reed flute which in Egypt accompanies Sufi songs and dances. The buzuq, a long-necked fretted lute with metal strings, plays a major role, including a long solo on selection number 2. Other instruments featured are: the 'ud, a short-necked non-fretted lute; the tar, a large frame drum; the sajat, small brass finger cymbals; the mijwiz, a double clarinet made from reed; and the mizmar, a type of oboe made from wood.

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