While this episode of Classically Speaking was prepared in a tumultuous time, we never could have predicted how many more shocking things would happen before its release. That being said, Leila Adu’s Mahakala Oratorio still might be the right piece of music for this exact moment.

The full episode, featuring Leila Adu along with members of Chatterbird, is available above.

The title character or the oratorio is Mahakala: a Buddhist deity. In advance of the premiere of Mahakala Oratorio I spoke with local percussionist Kirby Shelstad, who practices Buddhism, about the significance and role of the dharmapala.

Shelstad also explained the goal of meditations toward a deity.

He also connected to the role meditation plays overall in today’s society.

A full transcript of the episode is available for download. CS_41_Transcript