Word: darweeshã
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...CCOE quintet that played in Sanders reflected Darweesh??s pan-hemispheric aesthetic. In addition to a violin and cello (played by Hanna Khoury and Kinan Abou-Afach, respectively), the ensemble included an ‘ud (Kareem Roustom), a guitar-like instrument that is the predecessor to the European lute; a qanum (played by Xauen Music founder and director of CCOE, Hicham Chami), a trapezoidal stringed instrument akin to the zither; and a riqq (Karim Nagi), a handheld percussion instrument similar to the tambourine. Accompanying the instrumentalists were two vocalists, Youssef Kassab and Albert Agha...
...Darweesh??s compositional genius became readily apparent as the quintet launched into its first set of songs. Whereas Western composers sometimes write Arabic instruments or themes into their scores to lend them exotic “flavor,” Darweesh??s use of Western musical tropes is a true synthesis of styles. The violin and cello parts were not merely ornamental to their Arabic counterparts, but rather integral components of Darweesh??s sonic palette—Darweesh did not bridge the gap between Western and Arabic music, so much as he recombined elements...
...Darweesh??s compositions were expertly performed by the CCOE quintet. All of the musicians delivered virtuosic performances, but riqq player Nagi was especially dazzling. He showcased incredible mastery and bravura during several show-stopping solos; rock drummers with full kits would struggle to match the rhythmic variety and tonal subtlety Nagi achieved with his single instrument...
Especially frustrating was the absence of an English translation for Darweesh??s lyrics: the program made note of Darweesh??s advocacy for Egyptian women and the working class in his songs, but only Arabic speakers were able to enjoy that facet of the music...
Luckily, the universal appeal of Darweesh??s compositions overcame any cultural barriers to their appreciation, but a performance of this type should be both educational and entertaining...
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