Hakim, Naji: Esquisses Persanes

'Esquisses Persanes' (Persian Sketches) consists of the two movements 'Niya Yesh' (gnosis) and 'Raqs' (dance) which are based completely on the Persian scale C, D flat, E, F, G flat, A flat, B and their twelve transposition possibilities. The two-part melisma in 'Niya Yesh' symbolizes the revelation of the divine consciousness within the personal consciousness. 'Raqs' is a merry toccata in rondo form, with an embellished episode (moderato), which has been inspired by the spiritual 'Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen'.