Rouse selected six poems on which to set his music from translations of Kabir's poetry by Linda Hess, Robert Bly, and Rabindranath Tagore.
[1]Kabir Padavali has a duration of approximately 28 minutes and is cast in six movements: The work is scored for solo soprano and an orchestra consisting of two flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, three percussionists, celesta, accordion, harp, and strings.
Reviewing the world premiere, Michael Anthony of the Star Tribune called it "an ear-catching, evocative piece" and wrote, "Rouse doesn't try to reproduce ragas or Hindi vocal styles, though he uses occasional drones throughout the cycle.
"[2] The piece was later praised by Priscilla McLean of the Times Union[3] and Geraldine Freedman of The Daily Gazette, who described the score as "complex, colorful, and rhythmically and harmonically multi-layered.
"[4] A recording of Kabir Padavali, performed by the soprano Talise Trevigne and Albany Symphony Orchestra, was nominated for the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo.