ARTICLE: Artist Profile – Napra Magazine Nov/Dec 2000
Annette Cantor and Shanti Shivani
Sacred Fusion"Shivani studied East Indian Dhrupad music during an eight-year
pilgrimage. She has led workshops in Europe and the U.S. as a sound healer,
Nada yoga instructor, and specialist in East Indian spiritual vocals. Additionally
Shanti has both performed and recorded dhrupad, meditative and improvisational
music.
Cantor has been performing Western classical music since childhood. She
studied voice, violin, and breath therapy at the Vienna School for Music and
Dramatic Arts. Since coming to the U.S. to explore therapeutic arts, she has
recorded two CD’s and received certification as a teacher of the Alexander
Technique.
Magic began when these ladies settled in Santa Fe, NM, and Annette enrolled
in a class given by Shanti on "The Yoga of Sound" for pregnant women. As their
acquaintance ripened, "the vision of Sacred Fusion…to create…a
sacred space" matured into concerts and workshops, then this CD.
In dhrupad tradition, ragas reach toward music’s spiritual dimension
and voice is the supreme vehicle. Gregorian chant embraces a similar devotional
basis, and these artists discovered that Gregorian chants use the old Greek
scales, which are the same as the old Indian scales. They began with improvisation,
and now intertwine these two styles so perfectly it seems destiny was awaiting
their two voices: one satin and one silk ribbon, forming a perfect tonal braid.
Sharing composing, arranging and producer’s duties, Cantor contributes
soprano voice, violin, and tambura to the mix, and contralto Shivani sings
and plays tambura and monochord. Shakuhachi, sitar, tables, doumbek, pakhawaj,
and zither also make an appearance. Sacred Fusion also donates a portion of
their profits to specific charities (see "New CD’s for Causes,"p. 18).
Great purpose. Great music!