Islamic Liturgy: Song and Dance at a Meeting of Dervishes

These recordings are considered to be unique sound documents, musically, culturally and historically. John Levy, who recorded the Islamic liturgy on this CD, was a pioneering recordist who tapped into the expertise of the leading scholars of his day. His recordings were mostly of complete performances in natural situations.

The Dervish musicians and chants he recorded were among the very best at the time, and for reasons of privileged access and/or historical circumstance, several of Levy's recordings are the sole extant documents of musical genres or styles which have disappeared or been radically transformed.

Side I of this Islamic Liturgy CD involves recitations invoking Blessings of Muhammad and Side II involves sacred dance, which is performed to induce a state of contemplation. Different aspects of the mystic path are concentrated into simple dance movements. The phases of dance are preceded by a Mawlid, or a song of praise for the Prophet followed by a chant of welcome.