Stock: 
Format: 
Release Date: 23-04-2002
Label: Celestial Harmonies
Catalog Number: 13214-2
Barcode: 13711321425
Musical Style: New Age
| Disc 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhisekha | 5 | Under the Bodhi Tree |
| 2 | Mani | 6 | Shambhala |
| 3 | Tirtha | 7 | Maitreya |
| 4 | Realm of the Hungry Ghost | ||
As far back as I can remember I have been strongly attracted to both Hinduism and Buddhism, although, because I have an interest in other religious philosophies around the world, I have never fully committed myself to any one belief system. By doing so, I worry that I might be tempted to exclude the great truths existent in other philosophies - so I keep an open mind. I have been very privileged to be able to travel, courtesy of Celestial Harmonies, to many countries, documenting and recording some great musical traditions. This has allowed me to experience other cultures, more from their peoples point of view than would have normally been possible. This is something I wish we could all experience - it would certainly go a long way towards dissolving some of the hatred, ignorance and lack of cultural sensitivity so rampant in the world today. Throughout all of my travels I gained a better insight into and respect for Islam, as well as a new appreciation of Christianity via the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, my thoughts still keep leading back to the Indian philosophies. I have always had this love of Hinduism, probably because of its absolute human approach. I am very drawn to Tibetan Buddhism mainly because they have kept some of the pantheon of Hindu deities and the result, for me anyway, is a fascinating synthesis. It has all the logical, intellectual aspects of Buddhist thought together with the rich kaleidoscope of Hinduism. I have always believed that when the creator placed the world in the care of humanity he gave the Tibetans the workshop manual. It is with these thoughts in mind that I have composed the tracks on this album. The track titles are only the starting points for the listener. Im sure the music will mean different things to different people and I dont particularly want to impose my feelings about the music in any concrete way. It is perhaps enough to say that the music is simply the fleeting sonic impressions of a 21st century electronic composer of a great world teaching, that perhaps one day he might find the courage to commit to.
From his home in New Zealand, Parsons travels frequently to Asia for spiritual and musical inspiration. After collecting musical samples and studying different musical and cultural traditions, Parsons returns to his studio to integrate these influences with his own experiences. In the process, he bridges disparate elements with seamless grace and creates a unique musical affirmation of our common humanity and cultural endowment. Parsons has been a student of classical Indian music, studying with Krishna Chakravarty - Ananda and Circular Dance , who has studied with Ravi Shankar. David Parson's recordings make the Eastern sensibility comprehensible to the Western listener and formulate a unique and captivating new expression. Recent releases include the original synthesizer recordings, Himalaya. In 1990, Parsons produced the recording, Sacred Ceremonies: Ritual Music of Tibetan Buddhism. This is the first part of a landmark cultural preservation project undertaken at the request of the monks of the Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery, an order in exile from Tibet, who have taken refuge in Dharmsala, India. Parsons' work is often featured in film, television and radio scores and it has been widely praised by reviewers.
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