Monthly Reflection: Ilm (Knowledge) – On Music

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I’m all aflutter as our community prepares to celebrate the Twin Holy Days and while last month’s newsletter brought some films and videos related to the Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah to the fore, this time I would like to highlight a few albums and singles specifically dedicated to these holy days. Please look at this diverse list with benevolent eyes–it certainly isn’t comprehensive and I’m sure it misses wonderful pieces!

Singer-songwriter Elika Mahony released an album in honour of the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah called The Ancient Beauty and then she followed that up with an album dedicated to the Birth of the Bab titled The Exalted One. You can also explore playlists based on the Writings of the Bab and the Writings of Baha’u’llah on her YouTube channel–and so, so much more! Her YouTube channel is an absolute treasure trove!

Luke Slott similarly released two albums in those historic years: Gate of Heaven was produced for the Birth of the Bab and The Year of the Nightingale was released to celebrate the Birth of Baha’u’llah. You can also enjoy “The Story of Baha’u’llah – A Live-Stream Musical Journey” where Luke shares stories from, and songs inspired by, the Life of the Blessed Beauty.

Navid Lancaster is a film composer, sound designer and musician living in Trinidad and Tobago who created an album called The Gate based on episodes from the Life of the Bab and Babi history.

The Trumpet Blast is a musical score for a play about the Life of Baha’u’llah by that same name. Composed by Nokolai Clavier and performed in Norway to celebrate the Bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, this 14 track instrumental album includes pieces titled “Ridvan”, “The Heavenly Maid”, and “The Mansion of Bahji”, among many others. Even without the dialogue and staging of the play, listening to this album is nevertheless a dramatic experience.

“This Newborn Child” is a moving single by Ramine Yazhari. It features the words of Baha’u’llah from a tablet that honours the Twin Holy Days. 

DJ and music producer Eduke released a single featuring Raheem Kashon on vocals titled “Ancient Beauty”. The song uses verses from the Writings of Baha’u’llah as its lyrics. 

“The Gate of God” is an original song about the Life and Martyrdom of the Bab, written by Scott Rizzo (lyrics) and Ann-Sofie Wensbo (lyrics and music) and released in 2019 for the Bicentenary of the Birth of the Bab.

Rapper and hip hop artist Colby Jeffers created a whole collection of holy day songs, including ones celebrating the Birth of the Bab and the Birth of Baha’u’llah.

Lorraine Manifold, a conductor with the Australian Baha’i Choral Festival, also highlighted two compositions to observe the Twin Holy Days; she wrote about the song “I am the Promised One” and about “This Is the Day” respectively.

Corinne Padilla McLoughlin produced an album entitled Remember My Days. The tracks incorporate elements from various genres including jazz, blues, folk, classical, rock and world music and each song is a heartfelt tribute to Baha’u’llah.

Waters of Unity is an album by Angela Bryan from Tasmania. Ten years in the making, the album is based on the Baha’i Writings, and was released in light of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah.

This is just a small sampling, but I hope it fills your ears with delight as we approach this wondrous festival.

Before I end this newsletter, I’d love to draw your attention to some of the downloadable templates Cherie has created. She put together a possible program to celebrate the Twin Holy Days, and if you’re looking for a quiet contemplative craft, she also created bookmarks that can be coloured. Find these and more on our Downloadable Content page!

Potential program for celebrating the Twin Holy Days

"Gems" bookmark

"Rose" bookmark

"Luminaries" bookmark

"Ocean" bookmark

Happy month of Ilm!

Posted by

Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.