Jardin de Myrtes

Description

Le Mowash'shah, an Arab-Andalusian poem from the 9th century, is contemporary with the songs of troubadours and trouvères of medieval western Europe, sharing their delicacy and themes. Belonging to classical Arabic music, it remains alive in the Middle East. Its name originally means: "Mantilla embroidered symmetrically with pearls and jewels that a woman adorns herself with."
Imagining that the mowash'shahs never left Spain, Michèle Claude selected 13 of these melodies that she harmonized by mixing the obstinate basses (or grounds) of the 17th century with modern chords of the 20th century. She orchestrated them while allowing room for improvisation, in the manner of oral tradition musicians through whom this music has survived.
All classically trained, the chosen musicians operate in different musical horizons (medieval, baroque, contemporary, gypsy, Cuban, jazz) and play on ancient instruments. The music becomes Mediterranean and timeless.