»Salām Syria«: The Voice of Ancient Syria
Classical and Traditional Arabic Music
This double concert opens with classical Arabic music, interpreted by a quartet made up of top musicians, all graduates or teachers at the High Institute of Music in Damascus. The exceptional ney player Moslem Rahal, together with his colleagues on the Arabic long-necked lute oud, the oriental zither qanun and on the Arabic frame drum riq, provide profound insights into this great musical tradition.
The second part of the evening features a performance by Ibrahim Keivo, one of Syria’s most important musicians. The charismatic singer and instrumentalist has enjoyed success on the international stage for many years, but in musical terms he remains true to the traditions of his homeland. One hundred years ago his family fled the Armenian Genocide, leaving Turkey for Syria. More recently, he has had to flee to Germany himself. Having grown up surrounded by cultural and religious diversity, Keivo speaks seven languages. He sings in Arabic, Kurdish, Aramaic, Assyrian and Armenian. He has been »collecting« the songs of his native region for a long time: songs about love, joy, grief and harvest. Wedding songs, ritual songs, myths and laments.
Performers
Ibrahim Keivo vocals
Moslem Rahal ney
Feras Charestan kanun
Firas Hassan Darbuka, Riqq
Programme
Ibrahim Keivo solo / Ibrahim Keivo solo
Arabische Klassik