Songs of the Brotherhoods of Morocco

T he Al Boussairi Ensemble for Religious Song, formerly known as The Ensemble of Nocturnal Ascension, was founded in 2002 in Tangier. When the singer, Mohammed Mohssen Zeggaf, rejoined the group in 2004, he renamed it the Al Boussairi Ensemble of Sacred Music and Mystical Song. The group has already released two CDs: Oh meilleure creature divine and Oh celui qui remplit les besoins, and is now turning towards new horizons. They have recorded many titles, some of which are reinterpretations of the mystical heritage, such as La naissance du prophète, Nos temps se sont épurés and Rendez-moi ma liaison. Others have been written by the ensemble, notably Supplications tirées de l’invocation Nazaréenne composed by Mohammed Mohssen Zeggaf with lyrics by the late Sidi Ahmed Benasser. Further compositions will follow, with Oh Dieu bienveillant and Oh celui qui plonge dans le sommeil written by Mohammed El Ouakili.

The performance given by the Al Boussairi Ensemble, Time of Grace, will comprise Supplications tirées de l’invocation Nazaréenne by Sidi Ahmed Bennasser, and Oh Dieu bienveillant, bienveillance émane de vous (Moroccan traditional), and Oh celui qui plonge dans le sommeil by the master Mohammed El Ouakili. The music for these three songs was composed by Mohammed Mohssen Zeggaf.