{ program notes
with a map of the world painted on top
bearing a compass rose over the Pacific
Ocean. Gazing at it, he recalls, “I spent
more time imagining what was happening
— what life was like — in every one of
the places on the map than doing homework.” Rose of the Winds explores different
types of human experience throughout
the world; Golijov comments it “provides
contrast without explanation.”
The contrasts are powerful. The first
movement, “Wah Habibi,” (“My Love”)
is based on an Arab-Christian song for
Easter Friday, which Golijov originally
set for his song cycle Ayre. Though in
Ayre, it sounded more Christian, here
it becomes more Arabic in feeling; as
Golijov explains,“With the most minute
changes, one culture becomes another.
This is a song of faith and love, surrounded by outbursts of violence and
anger.” Both the bagpipes and the
kamancheh are featured here.
Movement two, “K’in Sventa Ch’ul
Me’tik K