"Zarathustra" for Symphonic Orchestra, Mixed Choir, Tenor and Soprano Soloists
CATEGORY: Concert Music
SCORED for: Symphonic Orchestra, Mixed Choir, Tenor and Soprano Soloists (Optional Narrator, Tombak, and Tar)
INSTRUMENTATION: 2222 | 4231 | timp + 2 perc | hp | soprano + tenor | narrator and tombak & tar (opt) | strings
LYRICS: Gathas by Zarathustra, Houman Khalaj, Shahnameh by Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi
LANGUAGE: Gathas and modern Persian
DURATION: 60 minutes
YEAR: 2018-2023
COPYRIGHT HOLDER: Houman Khalaj
PREMIERE: This version has not been performed yet
COMMISSION: Not commissioned
PUBLISHER: Houman Khalaj
SCORES & PARTS: Available on a rental basis from the composer
RECORDINGS: No recording available for this version
RELATED PERFORMANCE: On 23 September 2023 at Bozar – Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium, an ensemble arrangement of Part I of the larger multi-part composition Zarathustra was performed by the Euro-Persian Art Ensemble, featuring soprano Kamelia Dara and the Serenata Vocale choir, conducted by David Navarro Turres. The complete original large-scale version of Zarathustra has not yet been performed.
DESCRIPTION :
In the realm of Western classical music, many composers have drawn inspiration from Zarathustra. However, few have set the original texts of the Gathas to music.
Houman Khalaj began his composition on Zarathustra by studying and drawing inspiration from the Gathas, relying heavily on the invaluable academic research and translations by Dr. Khosrow Khazaei (Pardis). To delve into the historical, linguistic, philosophical, and cultural roots of pre-Islamic Iran, as well as the profound cultural transformation Zarathustra brought to both Iranians and the Western world, Khalaj examined the cultural connections between Iran and the West, the equality of men and women in pre-Islamic culture, and concepts of truth, righteousness, and freedom. His work also explored Zarathustra’s influence on Western philosophy. Finding a kinship between the values expressed in the Gathas and those in the Shahnameh written by Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi, and appreciating the fluidity and excellence of Ferdowsi's poetry, Khalaj incorporated these elements into his composition "Zarathustra."
In essence, the Gathas of Zarathustra and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh complement each other.
To better understand Ferdowsi, Khalaj began studying "On the Wings of Simorgh: Essays on the Shahnameh" by Dr. Mahmoud Kavir, published on Amazon.
The composer drew upon Ferdowsi's poetry together with the six principles presented in the Gathas, plus Wisdom (Mazda or Ahura Mazda), inspired by the scholarly work and research of Dr. Khosrow Khazaei (Pardis) on Zoroastrian studies.
The Gathas encompass six principles:
The first divine attribute is Asha or Arta. Asha was used in Old Persian and later became Arta during the Achaemenid period, meaning (truth/righteousness), which establishes the world's order and guides us towards enlightenment, opposing any force that contradicts this universal law.
The second attribute is Vohu Manah (good mind).
The third attribute is Khshathra (sovereign power).
The fourth attribute is Armaiti (serenity).
The fifth attribute is Haurvatat (wholeness/perfection).
The sixth attribute is Ameretat (immortality).
plus wisdom (Mazda or Ahura Mazda).
"Ahura Mazda possesses six divine attributes, each fundamental in shaping the Avestan world's structure. These attributes, combined with wisdom (Ahura Mazda), are known in Avestan writings as the seven Amesha Spentas, or immortal holy ones."
Khalaj employed these principles as distinct, isolated words, occasionally integrating words like Spenta Mainyu, Yazdan, Iran, Persia, Zarathustra, Cyrus, and King of Kings, to create a cohesive musical structure reflecting Zoroastrian teachings and pre-Islamic Persian values.
"The Gathas of Zarathustra have remained intact for nearly 4000 years, preserved exactly as they were spoken by the great teacher Zarathustra. Despite being forgotten for over 2000 years, the text and pronunciation have been meticulously maintained. Zoroastrian priests memorized and passed down these hymns through generations to preserve their authenticity."
By request of the composer, The text of these hymns was recorded by a Zoroastrian temple, ensuring the accurate pronunciation of the Gathas at a slow tempo. This audio file was provided to the European chorus singers to ensure they could perform the words correctly as it used to be pronounced 4000 years ago.
Zarathustra was originally conceived as a large-scale, multi-part composition for symphonic orchestra, large mixed choir, and multiple vocal soloists. The complete work has an approximate duration of 60 minutes.
For the performance on 23 September 2023, Houman Khalaj prepared an ensemble arrangement of Part I of Zarathustra, adapting this section of the work for smaller instrumental and vocal forces while preserving the musical ideas, orchestral colours, and dramatic character of the original score.
The ensemble arrangement of Part I was performed by the Euro-Persian Art Ensemble at Bozar – Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, featuring soprano Kamelia Dara and the Serenata Vocale choir from Brussels, conducted by David Navarro Turres, in support of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement.
The complete original large-scale version of Zarathustra has not yet been performed.
