Probably best Middle-Eastern composer right now
11/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great surprise ... finally something really fresh from Middle-East by a Lebanese composer. His first work lies somewhere between reappropriated traditions and sharp composed structure. You can hear as much from a Bartok or Ligety legacy as from various middle-eastern backgrounds... all driven by Fadia Tomb El-Hage - surely one of today's finest Arab female voices with a Fairuz-like aura - a 50 people mixt choir, a 25 musicians parisian orchestra and mindblowing oriental percussions. "Anashid" refers to the text used in Arabic for the master-piece, the "Song of Songs" from the old testament. This album, already considered as a cornerstone by Arabic music lovers, is a treat and a must-have for all genuine music lovers."