Zoe Martlew - Salat Babilya video

Salat Babilya, the Arabic title of the piece you're about to hear, was inspired by the classical music of Iraq, in particular the beautiful sounds of the Oud, a variety of Middle Eastern lute dating back to antiquity. The particular Oud piece that prompted mine was written to help lull the children of Bagdad to sleep during bombing raids and has the same title, which translates as Babylonian Prayer. "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life". Berthold Auerbach (German Novelist 1812 - 1882) Written and performed by Zoë Martlew. www.zoemartlew.com Film by Albert Hartwig. www.mostlygrey.com Graphics by Kitty Mulder. www.kitchen.nl Zoë Martlew studied at the Royal College and Academy of Music, Clare College, Cambridge and the Chopin Academy in Warsaw. She has performed and recorded around the world as soloist and with many contemporary music groups, rock, pop, improvisation and electronica artists including Ensemble Modern, London Sinfonietta, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Lontano, Radiohead, Butch Morris, Sir Paul McCartney, Super Furry Animals, Ceramic Dog, Plaid and Katie Melua. She is currently touring with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She has worked extensively in dance and theatre as composer/performer, including an ongoing collaboration with New City Ballet dancer/choreographer Antonia Franceschi and Ballet Black at the Lindbury Studio, Royal Opera house; POP8 Giant Olive Theatre; Ballet Boyz Encore, Sadlers Wells; Ghostward, Almeida ...