Joanna Goodale, a renowned French-Swiss pianist with a rich cultural heritage, recently captivated an exclusive audience in Islamabad with a transcultural piano concert at the Marriott Hotel. Born into a British-Turkish family and holding degrees in both Piano and Social Anthropology, Goodale’s music reflects her diverse background, blending Western classical traditions with Middle Eastern influences.
The concert, which took place at the newly renovated Marque at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, was an unforgettable evening of music and culture. Guests, dressed in their finest attire, gathered after cocktails and dinner for a unique performance that spanned over two hours. After an introductory speech by the Master of Ceremonies, Goodale took the stage, sharing her musical journey with the audience. “This concert will be a musical journey throughout my career, blending Western music with Middle Eastern influences on the piano,” she explained.
Goodale’s program began with iconic works from Western classical composers, including two pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers in history. She began with Bach’s Prelude in E minor, followed by a Prelude in D minor. She also performed works by French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, including The Moonlight and Gardens Under the Rain, both composed a century ago.
Then, Goodale shifted to her roots, connecting with the music of her Turkish ancestry and the Sufi traditions she encountered during her travels. It was in Konya, the heart of Sufism in Turkey, where Goodale first discovered the spiritual depth of Sufi music. She explained, “I was very moved by the way Sufis use music to convey their prayers and induce a state of grace,” recalling the influence of Maulana Rumi, the famous Sufi poet, who spent much of his life in Konya.
Inspired by the connection between the devotional music of the Sufis and the sacred nature of Bach’s compositions, Goodale arranged Sufi melodies from Turkey and Iran on the piano. Her pieces merged Western and Eastern traditions, creating a powerful blend of musical styles. “I felt compelled to express the music I encountered in Sufi culture through the piano,” Goodale said, as she shared her own compositions based on Bach’s melodies, infused with Sufi rhythms.
The second half of the concert delved deeper into the rich musical heritage of the Balkans and the Middle East. Goodale performed folk tunes from Macedonia, including Languages of the Birds, followed by Bismillah-e-Rehman. She also rendered a composition inspired by the famous Turkish poet Yunus Emre, called I Love You, and later paid tribute to Shahram Nazeri, the celebrated Iranian singer, with a performance of a Persian Sufi tune. For this performance, Goodale wore ankle bells to evoke the sounds of the Persian Daf, a traditional instrument used in Sufi music, adding an authentic touch to the piece.
The evening was not only a feast for the ears but also for the senses, as guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by the Marriott Hotel. The menu included Smoked Aged Beef, Cappuccino Lobster Bisque, Seabass Ravioli, and Beef Tenderloin, topped off with a refreshing Sorbet and Fruit Granatine.
As the concert neared its end, Goodale offered a heartfelt tribute to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, performing his iconic Haq Ali Ali and Dum Must Qalandar on the piano, with accompaniment from two qawwals and a Rubab. The performance brought the evening to a close, leaving the audience in awe of her ability to bridge cultures through music.
Goodale’s mesmerizing performance was a true celebration of cultural exchange, showcasing her unique ability to blend the classical and the contemporary, the Western and the Eastern, into a seamless and transcendent musical experience.
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