“Nihavend İlahi” by Ferah ft. Evangelia Chaldaeaki is a captivating and deeply spiritual exploration of Islamic religious poetry. The song’s traditional instrumentation, featuring the oud, ney, and percussion, amongst other instruments and majestic vocals, creates a rich and evocative soundscape that transports listeners to a world of faith and devotion.
The two ilahi poems featured in the song, “Ey gönül bakma cihane” and “Güzel aşık cevrimizi (Demedim mi),” delve into the persuasion faith. The first poem warns against the futility of worldly pursuits and emphasizes the importance of preparing for the afterlife. The second poem explores the challenges and contradictions of love and devotion, highlighting the dangers of becoming consumed by earthly desires.
Evangelia Chaldaeaki’s vocals are a highlight of the song, with her rich and expressive voice conveying the emotional depth of the lyrics. Her performance is both powerful and delicate, capturing the nuances of the poems with sensitivity and soul. Gerasimos Papadopoulos’s deep and grounded vocals provide a complementary element and root his beliefs into the song.
The exotic and organic instrumental accompaniment is equally impressive, with the oud, played by Gerasimos Papadopoulos, ney, performed by Achilleas Tigkas, percussion, played by Stefanos Agiopoulos and double bass, performed by Thomas Meleteas, creating a complex, intricate, airy and soothing tapestry of sound. The rhythmic section is particularly engaging, providing a steady pulse that drives the song forward.
“Nihavend İlahi” is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of music that celebrates the rich tradition of Islamic religious poetry. Check out the beautiful cover photo, made by Io Philippidi, on the YouTube video.
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Review by: Naomi Joan