WORKS / COMPOSITIONS

PROGRAM NOTES

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     “The Himalayas Suite”  is a musical portrayal of the South Asian area and the places around it, which are dominated by the biggest mountain range on Earth, among them, the towering highest mountain: Mount Everest. During the work, the music will depict different aspects such as the splendour of the beautiful and imposing mountain scenery, the peaceful night, the people, their religion and mystical legends.

The work begins with a majestic opening of the main theme of the mountains introduced by the horns that will develop on an ostinato by the high pitched woodwinds and the sleigh bells, depicting the snow falling down from the clouds (‘The Roof of the World: Mount Everest’). During the nights in the mountainous area, the sky is usually clear, and the stars light the mountains together with the moon. The animals rest peacefully while shooting stars cross the sky (‘The Starry Night’). Not every night is so calm, and sometimes the clouds cover the sky and bring heavy storms. During the night, a storm approaches, but disappears quickly just as it had arrived.

The Himalayas span over four countries with different cultures and religions, but the predominant ones are Hinduism and Buddhism. During the storm, the distant bells of a nearby temple can be heard. Native people start meditating by uttering mantras. For them, doing this is a way to reach Buda’s state of mind (‘The Ceremony: Temple Ritual’). At the end of this section, above the main theme and while its cellule is repeated quickly, we will listen to two Hindu and Buddhist melodies based on the mantras “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Om Mani Padme Hum”.

There are lots of myths and legends about the Himalayas, but one of the best known one is Shambhala, that according to Tibetan-Buddhist and Hindu traditions and beliefs, is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in the Himalayan range (‘The Legend: Shambhala’). Lots of explorers have dared to search for the empire on different expeditions, but it is said Shambhala is a pure land within the human sphere, and unless you have the merit and the real karmic association, you can’t really get there. The legend says there will be 32 kings in Shambhala, and each one will reign for 100 years, but in the 32nd reign, that of king Rudra Chakrin, evil will attack Shambhala with a huge army, equipped with terrible weapons. The horns announce the arrival of the enemy. In the great and last battle, goodness (Rudra) will stop all those who experience evil. After this battle, Rudra will only appear when the world enters an era of war and evil and everything is lost. When that happens, Rudra will come out of his secret city with a colossal army to repel and eliminate the evil and start a new era of purity. After this battle, although victorious, there has also been great loss. This is depicted by an internal fight of major and minor chords describing hope on one the hand and sorrow on the other. Shambhala rejoices in all its grandeur, a new era of purity and goodness has begun.     

With lots of effort and dangers, reaching the crown of Everest is a reward and satisfaction for all mountaineers (‘The Summit: Finale’). The work returns to the main theme of the mountains, retaking the first theme of ‘The Starry Night’ in a majestic way while the tubular bells leads the main motif and closes with an epic finale with the horns motif depicting the view of the Himalayas seen from the very top peak of Everest while the sun lowers with its midday intensity. Several elephants can be observed far away running in the distance.