‘Sleep, Jesus, Sleep,’ Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir with Inna Husieva (soprano) and Sulaiman Haqpana (tabla)
Composer Roxanna Panufnik and Signum Classics have released as a single Panufnik’s new arrangement of a traditional Ukrainian carol, “Sleep, Jesus, Sleep,” in support of the Refugee Council, a leading charity working with refugees and people seeking asylum in the U.K. Founded in 1951, following the creation of the UN Refugee Convention, the Refugee Center supports and empowers people who have fled conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives in the U.K. Each year the Center estimates it works with more than 13,000 women, men and children seeking safety.
“Sleep, Jesus, Sleep” features gospel choir Soul Sanctuary, Ukrainian soprano Inna Husieva and Afghan tabla player Sulaiman Haqpana in Panufnik’s arrangement.
As to why she has included an Afghan tabla in the mix, Panufnik explains: “Since Putin commenced his ‘special operation’ in Ukraine, the many thousands of Afghan refugees that we airlifted out of Kabul in August 2021 seem to have been all but forgotten. Thousands are still waiting to be housed (often with families to one hotel room). The Refugee Council will spend the money raised helping refugees of all nationalities to find their feet in the U.K.”
The single can be streamed via various services found here and every penny from both Panufnik and Signum’s revenue from this will go to the Refugee Council.
Because the version on the disc is somewhat specialized, Panufnik has also created a conventional choral arrangement and there are over 40 live performances planned so far. See her website for details. To order a copy, contact Roxanna Panufnik via Twitter, or Facebook. Donations can be made via her GoFundMe page.
Posted by Robert Hugill on Planet Hugill, 6 December 2022
