Earlier Post
http://www.bhatiamusic.com/
Posted: 10 Jul 2007 03:21 PM CDT
Canada will play a special role in worldwide celebrations marking the Aga Khan’s 50th year as the Imam on July 11, 2007, thanks to Amin Bhatia. The Golden Jubilee ceremonies will premiere the Canadian composer’s arrangement of the Nashid, the Aga Khan’s exclusive fanfare.
Mr. Bhatia was contacted in 2006 by the Aga Khan Foundation to create a new arrangement of the Nashid for His Highness Prince Karim al-Hussayni Aga Khan IV, who is the 49th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis. The original melody, Nashid Al-Imamah, was written 50 years ago for the previous Imam. Honored to combine his love of orchestral music and pay tribute to his family’s Ismaili roots with the not-for-profit project, Mr. Bhatia arranged and produced a two-and-a half-minute piece that will be performed at every event featuring the Aga Khan.
Mr. Bhatia’s arrangement of the Nashid Al-Imamah incorporates a blend of Western and Eastern instruments: snare drums play alongside tablas and santurs play a counter melody against orchestral strings. The multiple configurations of strings, woodwinds, brasses, orchestral and ethnic percussion were performed by 75 musicians, most of whom are members of the Toronto Symphony and Canadian Opera orchestras. The Nashid ends solemnly on a unified single note, reflecting the Imam’s vision of peace for the world.
All orchestrations and conducting were under the helm of Jamie Hopkings, Mr. Bhatia’s long time collaborator on many projects. Recorded at the CBC’s famed Glenn Gould studios, the Nashid was co-produced by Emmy award-winning recording engineer David Greene. Executive producer was Mr. Shams Kassim-Lakha with additional producer duties by Mukhisaib Nadirshah Khoja. Musicologist Hussein Janmohamud also provided assistance.
Special thanks go to Mark Johnson and Beverly Spotton of the American Federation of Musicians’ union for providing world-class musicians. Thanks also to the recording crew at CBC studios as well as to the Aga Khan Council of Canada for their assistance and facilitation in making this milestone project possible.
ABOUT AMIN BHATIA
Born in London, England, Amin Bhatia and his family moved to Uganda and remained until they had no choice but to escape Idi Amin’s violent dictatorship. The family settled in Calgary, Alberta. As a technology- and music-obsessed child, Amin spent most of his time composing classical music in his family basement. At 20 he won the Roland International Synthesizer Competition. He won again the following year. The resulting exposure led to projects with David Foster and Steve Porcaro as well as a recording contract with Capitol Records’ Cinema Label. His album The Interstellar Suite has become somewhat of a cult classic and launched Bhatia’s film and television music composing career. The album has since been re-released and the sequel album is scheduled for release this year.
Amin Bhatia has won several national and international prizes for his composition work in film and television scores, including John Woo’s Once a Thief, Iron Eagle 2, and an IMAX film about Jane Goodall. He won two Geminis in 2006, and his recent work on the Disney series Get Ed garnered him an Emmy nomination.