{"id":731,"date":"2013-05-02T19:33:57","date_gmt":"2013-05-02T19:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alzand.com\/?page_id=731"},"modified":"2026-02-03T09:51:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:51:15","slug":"parizade","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/?page_id=731","title":{"rendered":"Karim Al-Zand: Music: Parizade and the Singing Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"columns-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"two-columns\">\n<h2>Parizade and the Singing Tree<\/h2>\n<h5>a folktale for narrator &amp; orchestra (also version for sextet)<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3448\" src=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"459\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246.jpg 459w, https:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Princess_Parizade_Bringing_Home_the_Singing_Tree-e1529078945246-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><span class=\"drop-caps\">P<\/span>arizade and the Singing Tree sets a charming folk tale from the Thousand Nights and A Night [Alf laylah wa-laylah]\u2014or the so-called \u2018Arabian Nights.\u2019 Unlike Aladdin, Ali Baba or Sindbad, Parizade is not one of the better-known figures in the Arabian Nights. But her story is an inspiring tale of adventure and empowerment. It recounts the quest of a young woman in search of a magical Singing Tree, a quest for which many princes and noblemen before her have failed. The work exists in both a chamber and orchestral version, both with narrator.<\/p>\n<p>The fable of Parizade is often omitted in the more popular published translations of the work. It is translated, however, in Sir Richard Burton\u2019s encyclopedic edition; it appears as one of his many \u2018Supplemental Nights\u2019 (1886\u20131888).<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"left alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/parizadehorse.jpg\" alt=\"image\"> Parizade\u2019s quest for the Singing Tree\u2014in which \u201cmany princes and noblemen\u201d before her have failed\u2014is an exciting story full of determination and wonderment. As is common in the long, episodic tales of the collection, her encounter with the Singing Tree is a story embedded within a larger narrative, one entitled variously by translators as <i>The Sisters Who Envied their Cadette<\/i>, or <i>The Talking Bird, the Singing Tree, and the Golden Water<\/i>. I have adapted the story somewhat for the present work. The language used is largely my own, though I have borrowed a charming phrase here and there from the Burton translation and those of Lane and Scott (1863 and 1909).<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }<\/style>\n<div class='embed-container'><iframe src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5rsr7GL4FuQ?si=gs76kqgB-ZNAk8A4' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/br><\/p>\n<div class=\"pricing-box three-columns\">\r\n          <h4><span>purchase score &amp; parts<\/span><\/h4><span class=\"price\"> <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/?page_id=4372\" class=\"button\"><span>Learn More<\/span><\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"two-columns nomargin\">\n<p>DATE<br \/>\n2001\/2018<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<p>DURATION<br \/>\n24 minutes<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<p>INSTRUMENTATION<br \/>\n<strong>narrator and orchestra:<\/strong> winds: 2*2*2*2* | brass: 4210 | timpani | 4 percussion | harp | piano\/celeste | strings (min 10-8-6-6-4)<\/br><br \/>\nalso exists in a version for <strong>narrator and sextet:<\/strong> flute (*piccolo, alto flute), clarinet (*bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, and percussion<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<p>MOVEMENTS<br \/>\n<strong>Part I.<\/strong> <i>In which Parizade seeks the Singing Tree and hears the Dervish\u2019s warning.<\/i><br \/>\n<strong>Part II.<\/strong> <i>In which Parizade climbs the mountain and endures the travails of the ascent.<\/i><br \/>\n<strong>Part III.<\/strong> <i>In which Parizade hears the wondrous song of the Singing Tree.<\/i><br \/>\n<strong>Part IV.<\/strong> <i>In which the music of the Singing Tree proves to be magical.<\/i><\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<p>PREMI\u00c8RE<br \/>\nOrchestral Transcription: August 5, 2018; Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra | Cristian Macelaru, conductor | Nora el Samahy, narrator.<\/br><br \/>\nSextet Version: Part I: July 15, 1999, Harris Concert Hall, Aspen Music Festival, Aspen CO<br \/>\nAspen Contemporary Ensemble: April Clayton, flute | Laura Stephenson, clarinet | Lina Bahn, violin | Lisa McCormick, cello | Joshua Nemith, piano | Matthew Gold, percussion | James Brown, narrator | Howard E. James, conductor<\/br><br \/>\nSextet Version: Complete: September 3, 2001, Duncan Recital Hall, Houston TX<br \/>\nSyzygy New Music: Leone Buyse, flute | Thomas LeGrand, clarinet | Kenneth Goldsmith, violin | Norman Fischer, cello | Jean Kierman Fischer, piano | Richard Brown, percussion | Randy Lacy, narrator | Michael Webster, conductor<\/br><\/br><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>AUDIO<\/p>\n<p>Rachel Buchman, narrator | Michael Webster, conductor |<br \/>\nSean Gao, violin | Calvin Mayman, flute | Najee Greenlee, clarinet | Maximus Gurath, cello | Luke Arnold, piano | Riley Wendt, percussion |<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"compact_audio_player_wrapper\"><div class=\"sc_player_container1\"><input type=\"button\" id=\"btnplay_69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949\" class=\"myButton_play\" onClick=\"play_mp3('play','69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949','http:\/\/alzand.com\/parizade1.mp3','80','false');show_hide('play','69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949');\" \/><input type=\"button\"  id=\"btnstop_69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"myButton_stop\" onClick=\"play_mp3('stop','69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949','','80','false');show_hide('stop','69e1ea4f8840e2.26107949');\" \/><div id=\"sm2-container\"><!-- flash movie ends up here --><\/div><\/div><\/div> Part I.<br \/>\n<div class=\"compact_audio_player_wrapper\"><div class=\"sc_player_container1\"><input type=\"button\" id=\"btnplay_69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617\" class=\"myButton_play\" onClick=\"play_mp3('play','69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617','http:\/\/alzand.com\/parizade2.mp3','80','false');show_hide('play','69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617');\" \/><input type=\"button\"  id=\"btnstop_69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"myButton_stop\" onClick=\"play_mp3('stop','69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617','','80','false');show_hide('stop','69e1ea4f8bd8d2.83734617');\" \/><div id=\"sm2-container\"><!-- flash movie ends up here --><\/div><\/div><\/div> Part II.<br \/>\n<div class=\"compact_audio_player_wrapper\"><div class=\"sc_player_container1\"><input type=\"button\" id=\"btnplay_69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422\" class=\"myButton_play\" onClick=\"play_mp3('play','69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422','http:\/\/alzand.com\/parizade3.mp3','80','false');show_hide('play','69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422');\" \/><input type=\"button\"  id=\"btnstop_69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"myButton_stop\" onClick=\"play_mp3('stop','69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422','','80','false');show_hide('stop','69e1ea4f8e6036.00213422');\" \/><div id=\"sm2-container\"><!-- flash movie ends up here --><\/div><\/div><\/div> Part III.<br \/>\n<div class=\"compact_audio_player_wrapper\"><div class=\"sc_player_container1\"><input type=\"button\" id=\"btnplay_69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975\" class=\"myButton_play\" onClick=\"play_mp3('play','69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975','http:\/\/alzand.com\/parizade4.mp3','80','false');show_hide('play','69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975');\" \/><input type=\"button\"  id=\"btnstop_69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"myButton_stop\" onClick=\"play_mp3('stop','69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975','','80','false');show_hide('stop','69e1ea4f926eb6.66516975');\" \/><div id=\"sm2-container\"><!-- flash movie ends up here --><\/div><\/div><\/div> Part IV.<\/p>\n<p><strong>orchestra version:<\/strong><br \/>\n<div class=\"compact_audio_player_wrapper\"><div class=\"sc_player_container1\"><input type=\"button\" id=\"btnplay_69e1ea4f999830.40975039\" class=\"myButton_play\" onClick=\"play_mp3('play','69e1ea4f999830.40975039','http:\/\/alzand.com\/Parizade_Cabrillo.mp3','80','false');show_hide('play','69e1ea4f999830.40975039');\" \/><input type=\"button\"  id=\"btnstop_69e1ea4f999830.40975039\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"myButton_stop\" onClick=\"play_mp3('stop','69e1ea4f999830.40975039','','80','false');show_hide('stop','69e1ea4f999830.40975039');\" \/><div id=\"sm2-container\"><!-- flash movie ends up here --><\/div><\/div><\/div> MP3<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>SCORE<br \/>\n<strong>sextet version:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/scores\/Parizade_And_The_Singing_Tree_(chamb)_SCORE.pdf\">PDF<\/a><\/br><strong>orchestra version:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/alzand.com\/scores\/Parizade_And_The_Singing_Tree_(orch)_SCORE.pdf\">PDF<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>VIDEO<\/p>\n<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }<\/style>\n<div class='embed-container'><iframe src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9kgbOdE3GRE' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parizade and the Singing Tree a folktale for narrator &amp; orchestra (also version for sextet) Parizade and the Singing Tree sets a charming folk tale from the Thousand Nights and A Night [Alf laylah wa-laylah]\u2014or the so-called \u2018Arabian Nights.\u2019 Unlike Aladdin, Ali Baba or Sindbad, Parizade is not one of the better-known figures in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-731","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=731"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7089,"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/731\/revisions\/7089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alzand.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}