OSTORLAB (2013)
for Voice and Viola
Duration 5:00
Text (in Persian/Farsi)
by Jalaluddin Mohammad Rumi
Commissioned by ActorCor
Darren Lougée, director
Premiere
May 4-5, 2013
Salah Rajab, voice
Leanne Darling, viola
Don't see the audio player? Listen here.
TEXT (transliteration)
Reference translation (not sung in the piece)
by Zahra Partovi
Ellaté Āshegh Zé Elat Hā Jodāst
Eshgh Ostorlābé Asrāré Khodāst.
The lover’s malady differs from all others’
Love is the astrolabe of God’s secrets.
Āftāb Āmad Dalilé Āftāb
Gar Dalilat Bāyad, Az Vey Roo Matāb.
Just as the sun is the proof of the sun.
If you must have proof, do not turn away from the sun.
1278 Manuscript of Rumi's
Masnavi, showing (at left) the page where this text appears, from The King and the Maiden.
Special thanks to Zahra Partovi for her help in creating the text setting, Leanne Darling for her haunting playing and helping to hone the viola part, Salah Rajab for his beautiful singing, and Darren Lougée for making this possible.