Live Performance Review: Alim Qasimov Ensemble (Edinburgh International Festival (E.I.F.) 2012), Thursday 23.08.2012 17:45, Greyfriars Kirk (Unreserved Seating), Edinburgh (Preceded By Alim Qasimov Ensemble: Masterclass (Edinburgh International Festival (E.I.F.) 2012), Wednesday 22.08.2012 14:30, Main Hall, The Hub (Unreserved Seating), Edinburgh) 

This is someone who I had wanted to see perform for some time. I first him in approximately the year 2000, on a recording of a duet with Jeff Buckley singing What Will You Say?. At that point I asked in H.M.V. if they stocked any of his albums, and they did not know who I meant. Then in 2008 I was in H.M.V. I noticed a C.D. of Alim out of the corner of my eye. I know this is not to many peoples tastes, though I enjoy what I hear of him. I feel that if you appreciate Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as I do, and Jeff did, then you should be able to appreciate Alim.

Alim is Azerbaijani and practices the ancient complex spiritual vocal technique called Mugham. Within this approach, ability relates to being able to be in a state of love and understanding of the spiritual. Experienced practitioners can have a sense that while performing they can have their being transcend to be within the spiritual, and return to this realm once the performance has concluded.

The masterclass was good enough to increase my anticipation of the performance on the Thursday. Having been at Grayfriars Kirk last week for a performance, I expect it will be a great venue for this performance.

Having just got back from the performance, this was one of the most profoundly moving and incredibly beautiful experiences of my life. I had repeated waves of shivers all over. The patterns I see when I close my eyes were wild. What else could I possibly say. As could be clear, it will not be appropriate to give a rating, this was way beyond any such frivolity.