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CD Albums
Itsukushimi
Indonesia • Japan
• Israel Ethnic Fusion
(Purity Records: PCLR-2006)
“Itsukushimi”
is the heart's need for love and affection. In a broader sense, it means
to value one another, open your heart, and love unconditionally. Indonesia,
Japan and Israel — three cultures dwell in my heart and imbue my
life with meaning. Dunia Hanya Satu and Ke’ev, Tikva
Leshalom Ve’emuna both share the theme of Itsukushimi,
and for this reason this album is so very close to my heart. The lyrics
for these two songs were respectively written by Indonesian Ambassador
to Japan Abdul Irsan and Israeli Ambassador to Japan Eli-Eliyahu Cohen.
Their words are infused with love, faith, the spirit of each country and
its people, and the longing for peace.
I
hope by putting it to music, their vital message will reach as many people
as possible. Life is wonderful but transient. I pray that all may value
their lives and live without regret; I pray for the day to come soon when
the people of the world can finally live in peace.
On the album:
Dunia
Hanya Satu (“One World”)
Lyrics:
Ambassador Abdul Irsan • Music & Chorus & Arr.: Celia Dunkelman
Value
one another, open your heart, and love unconditionally. This has been
a constant theme in my life and music, and I feel that Indonesian Ambassador
Abdul Irsan has truly captured this spirit in his lyrics. In his own words:
“Inspired by the many recent conflicts, this song reflects humanity’s
desire for world peace. Conflicts of interest and the pursuit of one’s
own aims by any means, too often result in conflicts, violence, terror
and war, bringing sorrow and suffering to the people of the world. This
song represents humanity’s hope for a better world. With love, passion
and cooperation, the world can become a place of unity where all people
can become one in peace.”
“Nagomi”
for 15-string O-koto and Kendang
Music
& Arr.: Celia Dunkelman
I have used the Japanese O-koto and the Kendang Indonesian drum in this
piece to convey the bond I feel with my two homes. The Japanese character
in its name stands for generosity, harmony and peace; three interlocking
concepts that I hope will always characterize the bond between the two
nations.
In creating this piece I am indebted to Tetsuro Gomi of Gomi Wagakki Japanese
Instruments Co., Ltd. for crafting my 15-string O-koto, unique in the
entire world, and to my teacher, Satomi Fukami, and Mayusa Oda of Hougaku
Journal for their constant support and encouragement.
Ke’ev,
Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (“Pain,
Hope for Peace and Faith”)
Lyrics: Ambassador Eli-Eliyahu Cohen •
Music & Arr.: Celia Dunkelman
Value
one another, open your heart, and love unconditionally. This has been
a constant theme in my life and music, and I feel that Israeli Ambassador
Eli-Eliyahu Cohen has truly captured this spirit in his lyrics. In his
own words:
“Being in Japan for almost two years, physically far away from Israel,
I have come to experience the peace of Japan. Seeing how the Japanese
people have made the long journey from war to peace has made me yearn
that much more for peace and harmony to come to Israel and the Middle
East. Even though we carry within us the pain of the past, this pain must
be tempered with faith and the hope that peace will prevail in our lifetime.”
Dunia Hanya Satu (“karaoke” version)
Ke’ev, Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (“karaoke” version)
Ke’ev, Tikva Leshalom Ve’emuna (special track)
Itsukushimi: Indonesia • Japan • Israel Ethnic Fusion (Purity Records: PCLR-2006) is available worldwide by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com
Klila Bracha (Purity Records: PCLR-2003)
Klila Bracha is the third of a trilogy of albums that tell the story of my life and soul in music. Each album represents the music, culture and spirit of the Indonesian, Japanese and Jewish influences on my life. My first album, Purity, followed my life from Indonesia to Japan, and the beginning of my spiritual journey in pursuit of purity within myself and my music. My second album, Purity, Honesty and Hope, epitomized these values to which I have always aspired. Klila Bracha is a meditation on the lessons in thoughtfulness, love, appreciation, trust and humility I have learned from all those I have met on my journey. I hope you will be touched by these same qualities through my music.
On the album:
Generosity
No matter how busy we get or caught up in our own affairs, as human beings we must remember to be gentle and generous to others.
Saat Ini (“Seize the Moment”)
There are many setbacks on the way to achieving our aspirations — many we never expect, and many we cannot solve by ourselves. Always trust your heart, and never give in to failure. Seize the Moment! You have but one life, value and respect yourself. To attempt to achieve one's goals in life requires an inner strength, but to actually achieve them requires an "outer strength." For me this has come from all those who have loved and supported me.
The Moon Over the Castle
Though such songs are now sadly being cast aside, this song epitomizes for me the solemnity and dignity of the Japanese heart.
At midnight the moon shines down on the ancient castle walls.
For whom does the moon shine through the night and the halls?
All that can be seen now on the walls are the old vines.
All that can be heard now are the songs of winds and the pines.
Respect
This piece is dedicated to Mr. Tadashi Masui, who opened the door that led to my life. He taught me about thoughtfulness, love, appreciation, trust, humility and so many invaluable lessons about life. Whenever I fell down he was there to raise me up. What I am today is thanks to him: his support, love and encouragement. Even though he has passed, he will always be with me, and I will always cherish his memory. For introducing me to Mr. Masui I owe Mr. Akira Nagai a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay.
Klila Bracha
"Klila Bracha" was the name given to me by my husband and Rabbi Moshe Silberschein on the day I became a Jew. It means "perfect blessing." For me it embodies the wisdom, sense of balance and spirit of Judaism that I learned from my rabbi, and the love, faith and support I receive from my husband. Thanks to them, I have been able to fulfill my destiny, and in that I feel I am perfectly blessed.
Life is Like a Candle
Life is like a candle, it burns fleetingly and then it is gone. Life is weak but it is also strong, because there is strength in the light.
"Empty" for Reyong & Kotsuzumi
Reyong is a percussion instrument consisting of 12 bronze gong kettles from the family of instruments for Bali-Indonesian Gamelan music. The kotsuzumi is a hand-held drum that is often used in Noh, Kabuki and other forms of traditional Japanese music. Although these two representative and traditional instruments of Indonesia and Japan appear simple, they possess a unique character and sound.
Sea: A Kaleidoscope
When
I was asked to perform at the 20th Anniversary of the Maritime Self Defense
Force VP Squadron 6, the theme I was given was the "sea." At that time,
I remember being so very impressed by the words and experiences in Japan
and overseas of Koko Senda, my close friend and wife of Japanese Self-Defense
Force Capt. Senda. Simply put, her message to me was:
“We
are carried forward through our lives by great waves and small waves,
strong and weak. Life teems within the sea - and within us - in all its
kaleidoscopic forms.”
Sea: A Kaleidoscope was created to express my feelings of kinship with Koko, and my joy that my path has led me to Japan.
Thought and Thoughtfulness
No matter how hard pressed you yourself may feel, have the heart to console and care for others. Never neglect the details, and always think things through to the end, and you will be able to accomplish your desires. These are the words that I want to leave to my children as a mother.
Klila Bracha (Purity Records: PCLR-2003) is available worldwide by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com.
Sei Shou Ten (Japan Crown Records: CRCI 20486)
Created by Celia Dunkelman, Ethnic Fusion merges
the diverse cultural and spiritual streams flowing through the world,
erasing the boundaries of musical genre, compositional form and national
origin. Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty
and Hope epitomizes the values to which Celia has aspired throughout
her life.
Through her albums and concerts, Celia hopes to touch the hearts of all who listen.
On the album:
Sei Shou Ten: Purity, Honesty and Hope
Born in Indonesia, a resident of Japan for twenty years and a convert to Judaism, the title song of this album represents the confluence of the many musical cultural and spiritual streams flowing through my life.
Me
"Looking back on my life, there are so many people I wish to thank: If I have accomplished anything it is because of what my family, friends and teachers have taught me."
Bengawan Solo (River of Solo)
The famous Bengawan Solo, the longest river in Java, stretches 540 kilometers through the center of the island, sustaining the thriving agricultural communities along its banks. Like the great rivers of the world, the Danube, the Don and the Ganges, Bengawan Solo flows through the physical and spiritual heart of the land; and this song is the musical lifeline to my homeland.
Kyoushuu II
"When I hear this Japanese traditional folk song, my heart fills with the memories of my life in Japan." From Toyama Prefecture in Japan's heartland, this song features the "kokiriko," a bamboo woodblock instrument found only in this region of the country.
Halicha Le Kesariya (Stroll Along Caesarea Strand)
Penned by Hanah Semesh, a young girl who sacrificed her life in World War II to save her family, it expresses the eternal Jewish yearning for peace. In it I feel my own soul's yearning to bond with the Jewish faith and spirit.
"I have tried to present the music of my homeland and my adopted country and cultures through the kaleidoscope of Ethnic Fusion. Bengawan Solo, Kyoushuu and Halicha Le Kesariya, an intensely Jewish song, are the touchstones of my personal musical vision."
Children of the World
This song is dedicated to my own and all children everywhere. Through it I hope to inspire children to trust their hopes and dreams, and understand their power to change the future and the world. It is also a message to adults to value the children in their lives.
Sei
Shou Ten (Japan Crown Records: CRCI
20486) is available in Japan at 
,
,
,
and other leading record shops, or by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com
Purity ¹ (Japan Crown Records: CRCI 20330)
The title of this album derives from Celia's name, which in her language means "Purity." In music and character, Celia has always striven to live up to her name. Purity in soul and song is her message, and the message of this album.Celia's intention in creating this album is two-fold. First to communicate to people across the boundaries of time, nationality, race and gender through the universal language of music.
Second, in donating a portion of the proceeds of this project to UNICEF and other causes, Celia seeks to benefit the children of the world. In recognition of their generosity and concern for the children of the world, the names of all those who join her in this effort will appear on the album jacket.
On the album:
The Wind (Japan)
Hakeev Betochenu ("The Pain Within Us") (Jewish)
Nada Hati ("Sounds of the Heart") (Indonesia)
The Prayer (Japan)
Tevorchu ("Be Blessed") (Jewish)
Tempatku Berlindung ("My Home") (Indonesia)
Good Night, Good Night (Japan )
Purity
(Japan Crown Records: CRCI 20330) is available
in Japan at ,
,
,
and other leading record shops, or by sending a request to: sales@puritycompany.com
