Lament

Following the release of the single ‘Aapki Khushi’ last year, Leeds-based sitarist and composer Jasdeep Singh Degun has released ‘Lament’, another musical piece from his award-winning opera, Orpheus — a pioneering production melding the music of Monteverdi’s 1607 opera Orfeo with brand new music by Jasdeep written for Indian classical musicians and singers.

Originally sung by the entire chorus and full orchestra lamenting the death of the main character Eurydice, ‘Lament’ is based on a beautiful raag called 'Sindhi Bhairavi' — usually performed in a semi-classical style such as thumri or ghazal —which deals with ‘topics of spiritual and romantic love and may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss, or separation from the beloved, and the beauty of love in spite of that pain.’ Jasdeep felt this raag best expressed the outward grief of the family and friends of Eurydice.

In this single release, Jasdeep has stripped back 'Lament' for chamber ensemble -  featuring a string arrangement by cellist Ian Burdge. Jasdeep is joined by Sally Herbert (violin), Simeon Walker (piano), Ian Burdge (cello), and Harkiret Bahra (tabla).