The Book of Spells is a musical work inspired in the wonder world.   In three chapters, this first movement (scored for harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, and harp) explores one of the most common subjects of magic spell:  Love and Relationships.  The piece was commissioned by Elisabeth Remy Johnson.  Cover by Elis Ribeirete.  Illustration by Limin Dai.

From The Book of Spells:  Chapter I: The Siren's Seduction

“… a serious triple threat… a veritable musical dynamo.” – San Francisco Chronicle

A bold composer, a brilliant pianist and an inventive vocalist all rolled into one, Clarice Assad floats freely across musical idioms, drawing on an array of sounds from Amazon forest wildlife to operatic arias. A classically-trained pianist, Assad is deeply rooted in the earthy, folkloric rhythms of Brazil, capturing the attention of international audiences with her stunning talent. The term “world music” is redundant when applied to her style, a reflection of Brazil’s musical melting pot heritage of African rhythms mixed with European melodies and harmonies. 