Mike's Oud Forums

Naseer Shamma and Al-Oyoun

SamirCanada - 11-10-2005 at 09:14 AM

The best day of my life has just occured. I witnessed the craziest oud player perform incredible compositions. I have never seen such speed even after all the videos I have watched he was on game last nite. Also the whole Oyoun ensemble are everysingle one of them virtuosos and each performed incredible taqasims. Hani el-Badri on Nay is actualy concidered one of the best in egypt and he performed the way you would expect a studio quality recording. It was incredible. Also the young sensation reham abdul hakem sang oum koulthoum just like if it was herself singing INCREDIBLE!! they did a couple of Samaii and then it was Inta Omri . Al-Atlal. Hob ehh. Iam still hyped this was a crazy night. I got to hang out with Hani el-badri after the show. There pure egyptians and if you know any egyptians then you'll know that there hillarious to hang out with so that was the highlight of the nite. I also got to meet Naseer Shamma but he was a bit tirred so he didnt feel like parting after the show. Either way I'll post some pictures when I get them developed. Unfortunetly I tried to sneak in a camera in the theater and they were verry strict so I was told not to record... anyways Its printed in my mind for years to come.

Jason - 11-10-2005 at 04:30 PM

Naseer is an incredible musician... his sense of dynamics, timing, and intonation are as developed as any professional violinist or cellist I have ever heard. It is a shame that he is not as appreciated by classically trained westerners as he should be.

Although some may call it heresy, I believe that the oud could work perfectly in a concerto setting with a western orchestra. The closest thing I have heard is the piece with string ensemble on the latest Shaheen cd but it would be wonderful to hear what someone like Shamma could do. I think that something like this could expose more people to the oud and give people a wider appreciate of the instrument.

Jameel - 11-11-2005 at 03:09 PM

I'm glad for you Samir, sounded like an incredible concert. Wish there was some video.

Dr. Oud - 11-11-2005 at 03:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jason....I believe that the oud could work perfectly in a concerto setting with a western orchestra. The closest thing I have heard is the piece with string ensemble on the latest Shaheen cd but it would be wonderful to hear what someone like Shamma could do. I think that something like this could expose more people to the oud and give people a wider appreciate of the instrument.
John Belizikjian was a featured soloist with the Boston Philharmonic last July, playing Antonio Vivaldi Lute Concerto in D and Asturias-Leyenda by Isaac Albeniz transcribed by himself for oud, as well as a solo composition of his own. Unfortunately the promoters didn't pay the recording fee, so this historic event was only for those attending. I believe that John is one of our living virtuosi and a most accomodating musician, playing to large and small audiences with the same brilliance.

I would be interested in more information on this group, especially the singer Reham - other concert schedules, or recordings. I have not heard anyone deliver a song like Oum Koulthoum anywhere, anytime.

SamirCanada - 11-11-2005 at 04:08 PM

"Although some may call it heresy, I believe that the oud could work perfectly in a concerto setting with a western orchestra. The closest thing I have heard is the piece with string ensemble on the latest Shaheen cd but it would be wonderful to hear what someone like Shamma could do. I think that something like this could expose more people to the oud and give people a wider appreciate of the instrument" originaly posted by Jason


Unfortunetly I think I would have to include myself in those that would call it heresy. Although I have no arguments to bring forth as for why etc... Iam just not fond of arabic music being westernized and I feel the same for taking classical arabic instruments and making them more available to a larger public just for the hell of it. Iam not saying westerners shouldnt apreciate the oud Not at All. I think many westerners are discovering the oud within arabic music and its evident that its well liked, only I dont know about taking the oud out of its place. All I know is that I love the oud for what it represents and what it is to arabic music. If you change that it changes the identity of it to me anyways. I would think that there might be quite a few that think like me. It comes down to a mather of experimenting with it or being concervative.
No hard feelings :)
samir
:D
Also I had never heard anything like that either Doc. She is absolutely incredible and she was quite the performer concidering her young age. you should look out for her indeed.