“Midday-Prayer” in the winning submissions for the Beyond Music V.3.

Winning Submission “Midday Prayer” by Sofia Labropoulou

All the winning submissions will be part of the Beyond Music Project Vol.3.
The album will be produced by Bill Laurance & Michael League (Snarky Puppy).

“Midday Prayer”, a collaboration between artists from Greece, Iran, and Argentina/Italy.
“Midday Prayer” is a middle-eastern bolero combining elements from Iranian, Greek, and Argentinian music. It’s an unlikely kind of prayer, a confession that occurs during the brightest hour of the day when the sun reaches its highest point and nothing can be hidden. At this moment, one is exposed, vulnerable, and yet liberated. Farrochzad, who was an iconic and rebellious Iranian poetess, inspired “Midday Prayer”. Through her verses, sin transforms and acquires a divine quality. It becomes an anthem of femininity standing against the absurdity and the evolving darkness of our present.

Involved Artists:
Sofia Labropoulou: Concept, Composition, Arrangements, Producer, Kanun Player.
Mamak Khadem: Vocals
Shabnam Parvaresh: Bass Clarinet
Leonardo Sapere: Cello,
Vassilis Ketentzoglou: Guitar
Mamak Khadem: Vocals

Special thanks to Shole Wolpe for her translation of the poem “Sin” by Forugh Farrokhzad in order to communicate this extraordinary poem with all the people involved.

Producers’ Statement
“This track feels like a prayer. The simple melody with organic instrumentation of kanun, guitar, cello, bass clarinet, and voice create an effective sense of feeling grounded, whilst lending the track a deeper voice that seems to live beyond the music. This track has unique patience and humility, giving it a striking sense of cohesion and power.”
Bill Laurance & Michael League

You can listen to Sofia’s submission at the following link:
https://www.beyondmusic.org/shared/628a170b2e2a65820c038d82ec0f343a

You can also listen to all the winning submissions by following the link:
https://www.beyondmusic.org/projects/winners-vol3