Ehsan Saboohi – Phonemes Requiem

I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. (John Cage)

Iranian contemporary musician Ehsan Saboohi published his new album named Phonemes Requiem which I personally believe this is his finest project since I followed his works. This album clearly based on alphabetical sounds which means how composer uses different type of vowels and letters in approach to create music about phonemes I would say. Generally Phoneme is a single unit of sound, gesture or a sign that distinguish one word from another. The title of this project (Phonemes Requiem) is totally recall of a specific classical form of music (which means a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead), also, the name of the tracks categorized them in a particular subject, and, put them in groups. The first and second tracks(prelude and phonemic chant I) mainly act as an introduction, and, the track 3 (Campanes) which means Bells is a great ambient work that you can hear repetitive patterns of Tonbak(Iranian traditional instrument) with sound effects. Phonemic Chant II, III and Cantus III which I think these tracks have the main Idea of album that recorded with a choir or a single voice. Personally I constantly amazed by tracks Dhikr I and Dhikr II. Dhikr actually means a form of devotion, associated chiefly with Sufism mainly in Islam. The track Dhikr I there is a rhythm of Tonbak with singing characters yem-da-yem that illustrates the word Dhikr. The track Dhikr II has other characteristics and you can hear looped sound effects with voice of whispers that could be the illustration of Dhikr either.

I think the composer obviously decided to dedicate the whole music to investigate on the meaning of Phoneme, also, He tried to show that music is not just about composing romantic, emotional or popular music in order to seduce addressers easily and just gives them sympathetic feelings of their memories. Basically Contemporary music is about philosophy behind the sounds that you hear, and, gives you an opportunity to think deeply about what you hear.

The score that I gave to this album is 4 out of 5.