Bibliotheca Alexandrina to host the Swedish Pharaoh’s Gold Musical Band
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On the evening of Sunday, 20th January 2002, Bibliotheca Alexandrina will host Pharaoh""s Gold Musical Band. The Band is a group of musicians from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden and they derive their music through the inspirations of the Pharaonic musical heritage.
The musical show will consist of two acts. Lyrics were written by August Strindberg and Leif Hjarre, while the music is composed by Marten Josjo and William Brunson.
William Brunson wrote about his music of Pharaoh""s Gold saying, “Old Egypt was permeated by music. Various instruments have been excavated and performing musicians are depicted both on colorful wall paintings and on papyrus fragments. From the graves of Pharaoh trumpets, flutes, oboes, harps and diverse percussion instruments bear witness to a vital musical culture, both flourishing and full of variation. But, even in the enormous rooms of the temples, the sound of this ancient music has fallen silent.
To recreate genuine ancient Egyptian music is impossible. Musical scores, as we know them, do not exist, nor can we derive the old traditions and performance practices from today""s Egyptian Music. Thus I have chosen to frame Leif Hjarre""s recitation with music, which, though written in my own manner, may lead one"" thought s to the ancient life upon and about the river Nile. One can imagine majestic processions and balmy evenings by the river as well as war, mystical travelers and spiritual mysteries. An eternal cycle between the desert heat and the soothing coolness of the Nile, the spring floods, which break the dry spells, the sun and the moon, and life, death and the life hereafter.”