These three tracks are taken from the very first concert tour by this talented quartet of siblings from Austria, in May 2015. The performance took place during a special Songs of the Soul concert in Reykjavik, Iceland to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Sri Chinmoy’s first visit to that country.
Blossoms – Live in Reykjavik
Last modified December 6, 2015
The siblings – Ghantika, Chahida, Parichayaka and Ankurika Hammerl – live in four different countries, but the idea to perform as a group came about when they all visited their native hometown of Salzburg for Christmas last year. Here are some notes by Chahida, who lives in Iceland:
Living in Iceland, it is always a special thing when somebody comes to visit. This year, my two sisters and brother decided to meet and spend some time together here on this beautiful, but isolated island. We all live in different parts of the world, so we don’t really get to see each other very often.
To add a special purpose to this trip, we started working on a few arrangements of Sri Chinmoy’s songs, to perform them together at a Songs of the Soul concert tour in Reykjavik and Akureyri.
It was a very beautiful and rewarding experience for all of us, both rehearsing and performing. There is an undeniable family bond that made us feel a strong sense of oneness, childlike simplicity and gratitude, which we hope comes through in the music.
Performance in Akureyri, 2015. Left to right: Parichayaka – keyboards; Chahida – marimba and tibetan bowl, Ghantika – clarinet and mandolin, Ankurika – violin
The four siblings previously collaborated on a CD with their father, Sharanagata, called Prayerfully I Take Shelter; you can hear a track from that CD here.
