Led by award-winning composer, producer, writer and peace activist, Yuval Ron, the interfaith Yuval Ron Ensemble unites East and West, Hebrew and Arabic, sacred and secular. A marriage of tradition and innovation. This exhilarating musical journey is full of joy, hope, and deep spirituality, celebrating the underlying unity shared by all people, regardless of nationality, race, religion, and culture.
September 15, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- WHAT: Unity of the Heart – A New Album Release
- WHY: An inspiring musical response and antidote to current troubled times
- WHO: The interfaith award-winning Yuval Ron Ensemble
- WHERE: YuvalRonMusic.com/UnityOfTheHeart
Titled Unity of the Heart, the Yuval Ron Ensemble’s long-awaited new release is a refreshing musical antidote to current troubled times. In a world full of bitter divisions, hate, violence, terrorism, extremism, civil wars and refugee crisis, Unity of the Heart unites East and West, Hebrew and Arabic, sacred and secular.
Led by award winning composer, producer, writer and peace activist Yuval Ron, the interfaith Yuval Ron Ensemble’s new album showcases traditional Middle Eastern music with Western genres such as Soul, Rock, Pop and Gospel, to present a musical metaphor of unity. A marriage of tradition and innovation, this exhilarating musical journey is full of joy, hope and deep spirituality, celebrating the underlying unity shared by all people, regardless of nationality, race, religion and culture.
For the first time in the ensemble’s history, producer Yuval Ron incorporated the sounds of the electric guitar and bass, which expands and deepens the soulful expression of the ensemble. On several songs the B3 Jazz Organ enriches the arrangements with a warm and bluesy gospel tone.
Arguably, the two highlights of the album are the ensemble’s new Arabic and Hebrew renditions of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and John Lennon’s Imagine. The new soulful lyrics performed by Israeli vocalist Elinor Sitrish, Arabic singer Najwa Gibran, and the Israeli and Palestinian singers of the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus creates a poignant and spiritual experience for listeners. Hearing the ensemble’s new interpretations, one may be inspired and moved to work towards a vision of peace on earth and unity among the people of the world.
Formed in 1999, the Yuval Ron Ensemble endeavors to alleviate national, racial, religious and cultural divides by uniting the music and dance of the people of the Middle East into a unique mystical, spiritual and inspiring musical celebration. The leader, Yuval Ron is an Israeli composer and performer who has scored the Oscar-wining film West Bank Story PBS documentaries, created Multimedia installations for Samsung, site-specific performances at the Getty Center, performed the gala concert for the Dalai Lama’s Seeds of Compassion conference, among many other endeavors.
The Ensemble was invited by the King of Morocco to appear in the International Sacred Music Festival of Fez in 2009, they were also featured in the World Festival of Sacred Music in Los Angeles for four times, as well as the International Peace Festival in 2005 in Korea, to name but a few.
Album Credits:
The internationally renowned interfaith Yuval Ron Ensemble featuring Arabic vocals by Najwa Gibran, Hebrew vocals by Elinor Sitrish, Ladino vocals by Maya Haddi.
Norik Manoukian on woodwinds, Virginie Alimian on kanun, David Martinelli on percussion, Jamie Papish on percussion and drums, Reinchez Ng on electric guitar, Justin Stein on electric and acoustic bass, as well as artistic director Yuval Ron on oud, cumbus, sinter bass, harmonium and backup vocals.
Joined by guest artists Adam Del Monte on Flamenco guitar, Annie Lieberman on Spanish and English vocals, Wing Nok Cheung on organ and the interfaith YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus led by Micah Hendler.
For more information about this release, or to arrange an interview with Yuval Ron, please contact: info@yuvalronmusic.com or at www.yuvalronmusic.com
Tel: (818) 505-1355
Unity of the Heart – Album Release Concert
When: Sunday, October 29 at 4-6pm
Where: University Synagogue—11960 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90049
CREDITS
Yuval Ron Ensemble:
Najwa Gibran – Arabic vocals
Elinor Sitrish – Hebrew vocals, English vocals (track 8, 10)
Maya Haddi – Spanish-Ladino vocals (track 5)
Norik Manoukian – duduk, clarinet, shvi flute
Virginie Alimian – kanun
David Martinelli – riqq, tin can, dhol
Justin Stein – electric and acoustic bass
Reinchez Ng – electric guitar
Yuval Ron – oud, cumbus, sinter bass, harmonium, backup vocals
Jamie Papish – dumbak, tombak, daf, bendir, dhol, tin can, cajon, karkabas, bongos, drum set
Guest artists:
Adam Del Monte – Flamenco guitar (track 9)
Annie Lieberman – Spanish and English vocals (track 8)
Wing Nok Cheung – Organ: (tracks 8, 10)
The YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus (tracks 8, 10)
Artistic Director: Micah Hendler
Conducted by Joshua Rosenberg
Production Credits:
Musical Arrangements: Yuval Ron
Sound editing: Eiji Jon Mitsuta, Reinchez Ng, Wing Nok Cheung
Production manager: Wing Nok Cheung
Recorded and mixed at YRM Studios, Los Angeles
Hebrew Calligraphy: Elinor Sitrish
Arabic Calligraphy: Marun Tannus
Cover design: Stacey Clark of Note Pad
Thank you to all the artists for their talent, camaraderie and good heart, Marun Tannus for his generous heart, advice, and artistry, Elinor Sitrish for her art, Rabbi Haim Ovadia for Yonat, Silan for her design ideas and Carolyne for her support, joy and love.
HADASA
Jewish Yemenite traditional
Lyrics: Rabbi Shalom Shabazi (17th century Yemen)
Ahavat Hadaso a—-l lavovi niksharoh
Ahavat Hadaso a—-l lavovi niksharoh
wa’ani batoch joloh poamei tzolalim
wa’ani batoch joloh poamei tzolalim.
Ahavat yechidati letov – vetov el neharah
Ahavat yechidati letov – vetov el neharah
wa’ani batoch joloh poamei tzolalim
wa’ani batoch joloh poamei tzolalim.
Translation:
Love of Hadasa is on my heart
it was hooked on my heart
and I’m inside an occasional diaspora
an occasional plunging diaspora
The love of my only one for good
and good to the light
and I’m inside an occasional diaspora
an occasional plunging diaspora
Ani Le Dodi
Music: Yuval Ron
Lyrics: Yuval Ron based on Song of Songs
Verse:
Ana halakh dodekh
Hayafa banashim
Ana pana dodekh
Unvak-shei-nu imakh
X2
Chorus:
Dodi yarad
le arugot habo-o-sem
Lir-ot bagani—im
Velil-kot sho-sha-nim
X2
Vocalize:
Ah, ah, ah
Bridge:
Ani ledodi
Ve dodi li
Translation:
Where did your Beloved go,
You, the most beautiful woman among us,
Where did your Beloved turn
We came to look for him at your place
My Beloved went down
To the fields of perfumes
To shepherd in the gardens
And to pick roses
I am for my Beloved,
And my Beloved for me
© Yuval Ron Music (ASCAP)
Wa Habibi
Marunite Catholic traditional
Wa Habibi
Wa Habibi
Ayu Halen
Anta fi
Man ra aka
Fa shajaaka
Anta anta
Il muftadi
Ya Habibi
Ayu thanben
Hamalal aH du banie
Faaza du ka jirakhan
Lai safia minshifa
Translation:
My beloved, my beloved
What state are you in?
He who sees you, for you would cry
You are the one and only sacrifice
My beloved,
What blame have the nations put upon you?
They melted you with wounds,
To which no healing would do
YONAT REKHOKIM
Music: Iraqi-Jewish traditional
Lyrics: Rabbi Yehuda Halevi (11th Century Spain)
Yonat rekhokim nadeda yaara
Kashla velo yakhla lehit-na-hara
Hitofefa, hitnofefa khofefa (X2)
Saviv ledoda sokhara, soara…..
Vataamin nafsha velo noasha
Im kaveda bishmo veim tzaara
Yavo elohoheinu veal yekherash (x2)
Al kol sevivav esh meod nisara
Translation:
A dove from faraway wondered into the forest
She tripped and fell and could not shake off her load
Then, she started flying, blowing in the wind, in circles
Around her Beloved she rapidly turned in emotional storm
And her soul had faith and didn’t lost hope
When his Name was a heavy load or in sorrowful times
Our God will arrive and will not remain silent
Around all His surrounding intense fire exist
Los Bilbilicos Buleria
Rom-Gypsy / Spanish Jewish traditional
INTRO:
ay que llanto en toda España
por tus alas podría
con la fé y la palabra
mucho mil espinaría
y sí d-s así lo quizó
mucho mil espinaría
ay que llanto en toda España
por tus alas podría
VERSE:
los bilbilicos cantan
en los arbos de la flor
los bilbilicos cantan en los arbos de la flor
debasho se asentan
los que sufren del amor
debasho se asentan los que sufren del amor
Translation:
INTRO:
What a cry in all of Spain
For all the Jews (Juderia)
With the faith and the word
Many thousands would lament
And if God wanted it like this
Many thousands would lament
There is cry in all of Spain
For all the Jews (Juderia)
VERSE:
The nightingales sing in the flower trees
Underneath they nest
Those of suffer from love
Underneath they nest
Those of suffer from love
Dror Yikra ala Maroc
Music: Yuval Ron / Moroccan Andalusi Jewish traditional
Lyrics: Rabbi Dunash ibn Labrat (10th Century Andalusia, Spain)
DEROR YIKRA (X2)
LE VEN IM BAT
VEIN TZORE KHEM (X2)
KEMO BAVAT
NAIM SHIMKHEM (X2)
VE LO YUSHBAT
SHEVU NUKHU (X2)
BE YOM SHABAT
DEROSH NAVI (X2)
VE ULAMI
VE OT YESHA (X2)
ASE IMI
DEROSH NAVI (X2)
VE ULAMI
VE OT YESHA (X2)
ASE IMI
NETA SHOREK (X2)
BETOKH KARMI
SHE-EH SHAVAT (X2)
BENEI AMI
Translation:
He will proclaim freedom for all his children
And will keep you as the apple of his eye
Pleasant is your name and will not be destroyed
Repose and rest on the Sabbath day.
Seek my sanctuary and my home.
Give me a sign of deliverance.
Plant a vine in my vineyard.
Look to my people, hear their laments.
Eshal Elohai
Music: Yuval Ron / Yemenite – Jewish traditional
Lyrics: Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (18th Century, Yemen)
Eshal Eloha-a-a-a-ay
yigaal sheh vu i-im, sheh vu i-im , sheh vu im X2
Yisof zeru i – i – i- im
Yisof zeru im X4
Bizkhut meHa ne -e -e -e a- av
hamon lego im, le go i – i – im, le go im X2
Yizku le Ha i – i – i – im
yizku le Ha im X4
______________________________
Tzur Menoti waHemdat Helagi, Helage
Tzur Menoti waHemdat Helage
Tzur Meno—ti waHemdat
Helage——-
Tzur Meno-ti
Tzur Meno—ti waHemdat
Helage——-
Translation:
I will ask my God to redeem the hostages
He will gather the seeds
Thanks to the camp of the father
Abundance for the people
They will be granted life
My share and the adorable part in the Divine Rock
IMAGINE
Music and original lyrics: John Lennon
Hebrew lyrics by Noa
Arabic Lyrics: Khaled
Spanish Lyrics: Annie Lieberman
translation:
Bat uron wa-awam After centuries & years
Tit khak a kul lil hakhla All the dreams will come true
Ranin etkhin lal yom, il yom, il yom The loud sounds will soften
Esalam fil kol Peace in the world
Wama wou-rou lil hayam And with time
Salam fil kul makom There will be peace in every place
Hebrew Verse:
Damyen olam bli pakhad Imagine a world without fear
Olam lelo sinah A world without hate
Shebo nikhye beyakhad In which we will live together
Olan shel ahavah A world of love
Nivne atid leshneinu We will build a future for both of us
Beoto makom in the same place
Spanish Verse:
Imagina que no hay países Imagine there’s no countries
No es difícil de hacer It’s isn’t hard to do
No eye paraque matar ni morir No need for greed or hunger
Ni division tampoco And no division too
Imagina a toda la gente, Imagine all the people
Vivir la vida en paz … Living life in peace
Chorus:
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the word will live as one
Perfume of Love
Music: Najwa Gibran and Yuval Ron
Lyrics: Nazir Qabbani
Translation:
I hadn’t told them about you
But they saw you bathing in my eyes
I had not told them about you
But they saw you in my written words
The perfume of love cannot be concealed
Hallelujah
Music and original lyrics by Leonard Cohen
Arabic lyrics by Marun Tannus
Arabic Verse:
Amilt Al Matloub Wumaknsh Ikteer
Fa’d Al Ihsas Jarapt Al lams
Wana Uolt Alhag Min Gheer khida’a
Wraghm Eli Kan Kolo Ekhta’
Walee Al Mothoul Amam Rub Al Ghina’
Wumafee A’l Sanee Gheer Haleluya
Haleluya Haleluya Haleluya Haleluya
Transaltion:
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
English Verse:
You say I took your name in vein
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well really what’s it to ya
There’s a blaze of light in every word
It doesn’t matter which you’ve heard
The holy or the broken, Hallelujah
Hebrew Verse (same meaning as English verse above):
Ulay nasati shem la’shav,
An’lo mamash zocher achsav
Haim ze meshane lecha, madua?
Be’khol mila ve’shem yesh or
Ve’lo khasuv im ha’mizmor
who shever, oh shlemut shel, Hallelujah
transaltion of Arabic verse:
I am have took your name in vein
I don’t really remember now
Does it make any diference to you now,? Why does it?
In every word and name there is Light
And it does not matter if the song is broken or perfection, Hallelujah
