COMMISSIONS
Christmas In Mourning
December 24th 2023
Bethlehem / Beirut
Commissioned work by Radio Al-Hara
Co-composed with Sary Moussa
This project was commissioned in the midst of the genocide in Gaza. In view the era defining ethnic cleansing happening in Gaza, Bethlehem's iconic Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity decided to cancel all festive aspects of this year's Christmas, replacing them with a broadcasting event of Christmas hymns performed by the head of the choir of the church of the Nativity, Laurence Sammour, with a music co-composed by Beirut musicians Sary Moussa and Abed Kobeissy.
This work was broadcasted on Christmas Eve with a re-run on December 27th, on Radio Al-Hara and a number of radios worldwide including NTS Radio, Lyl Radio, Radio Flouka, Noods Radio, Radio Atheer, Radio Refuge Worldwide, Stegi Radio, Cashmere Radio, Root Radio, Radio Nopal, and Radio Raheem Milano.
Radio Al-Hara's statement about the project:
"This Christmas in Palestine, our people are facing a new cycle of unspeakable violence and savagery. Words are missing to convey our outrage, our sadness, and our feeling of helplessness."
Wonder Cabinet share an original production of sonic mourning with electronic musicians Sary Moussa (Beirut), Abed Kobeissy (Beirut), and the Greek Orthodox tenor of the Church of the Nativity, Laurence Sammour (Bethlehem).
"This remote collaboration is a mourning sound piece using religious recitals in an electronic composition. It is an attempt at producing a physical materialization of remote solidarity."
This work was broadcasted on Christmas Eve with a re-run on December 27th, on Radio Al-Hara and a number of radios worldwide including NTS Radio, Lyl Radio, Radio Flouka, Noods Radio, Radio Atheer, Radio Refuge Worldwide, Stegi Radio, Cashmere Radio, Root Radio, Radio Nopal, and Radio Raheem Milano.
Radio Al-Hara's statement about the project:
"This Christmas in Palestine, our people are facing a new cycle of unspeakable violence and savagery. Words are missing to convey our outrage, our sadness, and our feeling of helplessness."
Wonder Cabinet share an original production of sonic mourning with electronic musicians Sary Moussa (Beirut), Abed Kobeissy (Beirut), and the Greek Orthodox tenor of the Church of the Nativity, Laurence Sammour (Bethlehem).
"This remote collaboration is a mourning sound piece using religious recitals in an electronic composition. It is an attempt at producing a physical materialization of remote solidarity."
Our artists note:
"It is with profound humility that we approached this work particularly in light of the inhumane brutality that present-day Palestine is witnessing. The immense cultural and spiritual significance of this land weighs heavily on us. Throughout the writing process Laurence’s voice and his presence served as a testament to an enduring vitality that this musical tradition holds. We hope this sonic piece reflects our awe of the heritage on which it is based, as well as our deep appreciation of the opportunity to contribute in producing art that, in many ways, sheds a brief light on the story of Palestine and its people. This commissioned work asserts Bethlehem’s decision to cancel all festive aspects of this year’s Christmas while Gaza is redeeming all of humanity with her indescribable bravery, fiercely facing what can only be described as the purest forms of evil. For us, as musicians from Beirut, to be given the opportunity to be part of this stand, is a treasured privilege, to say the least. This electro-acoustic piece revolves around the voice of Laurence Sammour, head of the choir of Bethlehem’s Church of The Nativity. Laurence’s voice was the guiding reference in most of the artistic decisions made during the composition process.” Sary Moussa and Abed Kobeissy |
The release of these recording is a project in process for 2024