Search - Marcel Khalife :: Summer Night's Dream

Wonderful music & wondeful music for classical dance

Ephraim Khalife | Southeastern USA | 03/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was a little skeptical the first time I heard Marcel Khalife wrote music for orchestra (I had only heard his "Jadal" album at this point.) A friend gave me "Summer Night's Dream" and man, was I impressed! His writing for classical dance goes right up there with Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and others who wrote great dance music!The melodies are full and rich. This is definately music written in the east though. There are plenty of arabic instruments (kanun, oud, etc) in addition to the western orchestra. There's great development in the pieces and you can certainly tell that there is a progressing story. Khalife has managed to successfully bridge the gap between east & west with this CD. That's not to say that this is fusion music...it is far from it, however, this is certainly music that can appeal to folks from both sides of the world.This CD is excellent, and highly recommended (not to mention that we share a last name!)"

Summer Night's Dream~Marcel Khalife

Ephraim Khalife | 08/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An awesome album filled with emotions, sweet toons and the silenced voice of an entire generation. Marcel khalife is a master composer whose songs and rhythms celebrates the beauty of Levantine (oriental "Middle East") culture and the aspiration of its people. This is my favorite album since its songs invoke in me the rage, struggle, and memories of the Lebanese uprising to liberate their South from the tyranny of occupation and shame. Strongly recommended and my favorite song in this album is Bird of the South. 5 stars in deed....!-Rodni"

Oriental Classical Music

Fawwaz | Amman, Jordan | 12/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Summer Night's Dream is how the orient views classical music which the Europeans invented. It allows for instruments such as the lute, nai, riqq and even buzuq to interact with the usual ones. Marcel's work is a must for whoever needs to discover the struggle and harmony that the oriental culture consists of."