From the music of Gurdjieff / De Hartmann, Christene and Dorine were inspired to add voice, lyrics (never before have lyrics been added to the music of Gurdjieff / De Hartmann) and other instruments (including harmonium, monochord, drum and flute).

11 MP3 Songs in this album (36:10) !
Related styles: SPIRITUAL: Chassidic, CLASSICAL: Vocal Music

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Details:
Inspired by the music of Gurdjieff/de Hartmann

It is well known that Gurdjieff sang as a boy in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Kars and that the melodies he remembered from his journeys through Central Asia were played on local instruments and not on the piano. We are forever indebted to Thomas de Hartmann for capturing these melodies in his piano compositions. However, many of the titles of the music compositions, such as the Orthodox Midnight Hymn and the Song of the Fisherwomen, indicate that they were meant to be sung. Recently, the publication of the Oriental Suite by G.J Blom with the accompanying CDâs show what the movement music sounded like being played by an orchestra. Gurdjieff had ordered de Hartmann to make these orchestral arrangements from his own piano music for the movement performances in Paris and New York in the 1920âs.

In view of all these facts Christene Bauden and Dorine Tolley were inspired to add voice, lyrics and other instruments to the piano music on this CD, including some music for the movements. Thomas de Hartmannâs piano arrangements have not been changed, but just enhanced with voice, harmonium, monochord, drum and flute where it was felt appropriate. The harmonium has been chosen as a reminder of Gurdjieff who played it until the very last days of his life.

The lyrics of the songs were written by Christene Bauden.
The music of the Walking Prayer is an improvisation by Dorine Tolley to accompany a Gurdjieff movement..


THE HARMONIUM

The harmonium or hand organ used on this CD (see photo in the CD booklet) is exactly like the one Gurdjieff used. This instrument is common all through the Middle East and in India and used to accompany the voice, often playing the melody in unison.
It is played with one hand while the other operates the bellows, âmaking the soundâ. In recording the slight creaking sound of the bellows was unavoidably picked up. It lends a touch of authenticity with its own charm.


Christene Bauden

Christene Bauden holds a Bachelor of Music degree in voice from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland USA. Her Career in opera, oratorio and recital included the US, Iceland and many countries in Europe. After settling in Sydney, Australia, she included in her career: teaching, choral conducting, composing, writing lyrics and giving Master Classes for choir and singers. She has been a recording artist as a singer, conductor, composer and lyricist on numerous CDâs, including classical, popular and spiritual. Christene teaches students from many cultures who have a wish to explore any of the above.

Dorine Tolley

Dorine Tolley has accompanied soloists and played in chamber ensembles for many years, with public performances and radio broadcasts in Amsterdam, Leicester (UK), Mumbai, Pune and Sydney. She studied the piano and harpsichord with the harpsichordist Marijke Smit Sibinga in the Netherlands. Dorine is also a Gurdjieff Movements teacher as well as a published author of âThe Power Withinâ, a biographical/memoir of Leon MacLaren.

PARTICIPANTS

Christene Bauden â vocals
Dorine Tolley â piano, harmonium, monochord
Macdonald Hamilton - flute
John Levings â drum

Sound recording and mixing technicians â Macdonald Hamilton and John Levings
Photography and CD booklet design â Macdonald Hamilton