Arabe Music

When EMI agreed to record Martha Argerich's appearances at the Lugano Chamber Music Festival, no doubt part of the contract included a clause stipulating it could release her two piano recordings separately. It only makes sense. While her dedicated fans might be avidly interested in everything the Argentinean pianist does, less ardent listeners may be more tempted by a set that focuses directly on Argerich rather than including all manner of chamber music.

The visible embellishment of this noble instrument was enriched still more by the Spanish composers, who following the traces of his contemporaries. In the case of Fernando Sor, Haydn was his musical guide, where as Aguado, could establish himself with major vehemence, due its particular style, based in the notable right-hand articulation, eschewed the classical patterns, being able to print his own music a flamboyant and refined character.

The popularity of the guitar has never waned and the sun-drenched sound of Spanish guitar music is one of the instrument’s most popular incarnations. At the helm of performers of this style of guitar music is Narciso Yepes who recorded vast amounts of guitar music for Deutsche Gramophon. This collection brings together some of the gems from among these recordings and indeed, from the body of work for Spanish guitar.

Playing four-hands piano was both vital in the dissemination of music in the nineteenth century and also a popular domestic activity. The French composers recorded here span the Romantic century, from the salon charm of Chaminade and Massenet and the virtuosity of Alkan’s wild dance to the innocence of the family music-room in pieces by Chausson, Godard and Ropartz. The original 1853 Parisian Erard piano on which this recording was made combines warmth with bell-like clarity, because of its straight stringing, allowing it to produce a surprising variety of appealing, expressive textures.

Hossam Ramzy & José Luis Montón - Flamenco Arabe 2 (2006) {ARC Music ‎EUCD 2000}
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© 2006 ARC Music ‎| EUCD 2000
Flamenco / Arabian Music / World Fusion / Spanish / Arabian

Following the stellar success of "Flamenco Arabe", we proudly present "Flamenco Arabe 2", a truly exhilarating and captivating album. Flamenco guitar (José Luis Montón) and Arabic percussion (Hossam Ramzy) as well as Egyptian nay, violin, oud, qanun, accordion, palmas, bass and Spanish vocals (Maria Toledo) perfectly complement each other. Very addictive listening! The 28-page colour booklet with photos and lots of information in English, German, French and Spanish plus extra outer slip-case cover round off this beautiful album perfectly.

Hossam Ramzy & Rafa el Tachuela - Flamenco Arabe (2002) {Natural Way 3001 rel 2009}
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© 2002, 2009 Arc Music / Natural Way | 3001
Flamenco / Arabian Music / World Fusion / Spanish / Arabian

An interesting fusion between Arabic music and flamenco. Though it's been done before (by Al Tall and Muluk el-Hwa), it's an enticing sort of fusion to listen to again. Some of the pieces are most straightforward flamenco with some additional Egyptian percussion, thanks to Hossam Ramzy. In other parts, it reverts to a straightforward Egyptian dance rhythm with some careful Spanish guitar in the background. It's when the two mesh that the sound is something worth hearing.

Ahmad Al Khatib and Youssef Hbeisch - Sabîl (2011) {Institut du Monde Arabe–Harmonia Mundi HM 321.090}
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© 2011 Institut du Monde Arabe / Harmonia Mundi | HM 321.090
World Music / Middle Eastern Traditions / Arabic Maqam / Palestinian

Ahmad Al-Khatib is among the rising stars of contemporary Arabic music. Born in a Jordanian Palestinian refugee camp in 1974, Al-Khatib went on to study cello and musicology at Yarmuk University (Jordan). Following graduation, he relocated to Ramallah, joining the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in East Jerusalem in 1997, where he taught and later became director of the Oriental Music Studies department. It was during this time that he and other teachers, including Youssef Hbeishe formed the Karloma ensemble, a small chamber orchestra dedicated to performing contemporary Palestinian music. Following Israeli crackdowns in 2002, Al-Khatib's visa was not renewed and since 2004, he has taught Modal Music Composition and Theory at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

Nassim Maalouf - Improvisations Orientales (1994) {Club Du Disque Arabe ‎AAA116}
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© 1994 Club Du Disque Arabe ‎| AAA 116
World / Arab Music / Jazz / Classical / Microtonal Music / Quarter-Tone Trumpet

My recent review of Ibrahim Maalouf's "Diasporas", made me search for his father's Nassim Maalouf's "Improvisations Orientales" from 1994, the first solo trumpet CD with his quartertone trumpet, and of which I now found a copy. For this trumpet he added a fourth valve, half the length of the second valve, which is played by the index finger of his left hand. On this CD he demonstrates how Arabic scales or "maqamat" can be played with the trumpet. But the record brings more than just a demonstration. It brings music of a purity seldom heard.