dutorchi
Oud Lover
Posts: 10
Registered: 6-19-2022
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Arabic Music for Western Orchestra?
This is not directly oud-related but I figure members might have some experience - one of our local (western) orchestras is considering some sort of
crossover with bellydance, and reached out to me asking if there might be some ready-made orchestrations of bellydance classics which may or may not
incorporate Arabic instruments like ouds, qanuns, darbukas etc. that can be rented out/used with license. I had a quick look at big publishers like
Hal Leonard but didn't find anything. I wonder if any of us have experience/clues/tips? Many thanks in advance!!
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Eric Stern Music
Oud Maniac
Posts: 89
Registered: 7-15-2013
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Just tell them to learn by ear! Just kidding (sort of). I don't know how much you could find by searching in English but one source that has helped a
lot of Americans are transcriptions by Mimi Spencer. You could start there. They will NOT be orchestral scores but usually sinlgle line
transcriptions.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Mood: Stringish
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Not full orchestra, but maybe of interest:
Violist/composer Leanne Darling (she was a student of Simon Shaheen's at one point) did an arrangement of Arabic themes for string orchestra:
https://www.jwpepper.com/Isma%27a/10032743.item
It is the closest to what you're requesting I think.
She did another one that was music of Sayyed Darwish I believe, but it hasn't been published. She might provide the score for that one if requested:
https://www.leannedarling.com
Simon Shaheen did a concerto for oud and orchestra, which they might consider if they have the budget to hire him to come perform it!
I performed with a string orchestra a double mini-concerto for oud & piano some years back, it was an Israeli composer:
https://www.carlfischer.com/rnim393-concertino-for-oud-2c-piano-and-...
Definitely not a "bellydance" vibe though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIcVwAByx8
Otherwise, it's likely not a genre that exists enough that anyone would have orchestrated and published anything - lots of people have the skills to
do this (including me) but there is no reason for anyone to commission and pay for such a niche possibility as a western orchestra wanting to perform
bellydance classics.
There may be some ensemble in the Arab word or Turkey who might've done this as an attempt to "legitimize" the music but I expect such an arrangement
(if it exists) is likelier than not to sound kind of cheesy to our ears. If I remember correctly, some of the 60s bellydance records produced for the
US market seemed to use a mishmash between traditional instruments and something like a Broadway pit orchestra, but I doubt any of those arrangements
are available - maybe sittiing in a closet of one of Mohammed el-Bakkar's grandchildren?
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John Erlich
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1470
Registered: 8-26-2004
Location: California, USA
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Mood: Oud-Obsessed
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I think sone of the better-known Arabic compositions have been arranged for Western orchestra, for example, "Lamma Bada": https://www.jwpepper.com/Lamma-Bada/10097457.item or https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/184864.html I also found an arrangement of "Ah Ya Zain" and "Talaet Ya Mahla Nourha" arranged for concert
band: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/572784/Product.aspx?... As Brian noted, this is a small niche market, and not exactly "belly dance" music.
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Badra
Oud Maniac
Posts: 99
Registered: 2-26-2006
Location: NW USA
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Mood: No Mood
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In the 1960s French conductor Franck Pourcel did exactly what you're thinking of doing. He took four Arab instrumentals, and adapted them to his
orchestra. Zomoroda and Leila were specifically belly dance songs. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k4ODQo5tadNErfOxWf1QDO... Maybe this sheet music is available? I don't know, but maybe it's worth asking his estate. https://franckpourcel.com/contact/
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