Audience Spellbound by Oud Players on Second Evening Of Sharjah World Music Festival

Four of the world’s top oud players mesmerised the audience yesterday (Saturday) during the ‘Legend of Oud’ performance on the second evening of the fourth Sharjah World Music Festival (SWMF), at the Flag Island Theatre.  The event featured celebrated Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma, Syrian artist Husain Sabsaby, Iraqi composer and musician Khalid Mohammed Ali; and Turkish star Necati Çelik.

The nine-day musical extravaganza, organised by Furat Qaddouri Music Centre, and sponsored by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), will run until 14 January, with concerts taking place at Al Majaz Waterfront, Masrah Al Qasba Theatre and The Flag Island. SWMF features 24 internationally renowned artists and music bands from 14 Arab and foreign countries, including the UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Jordan, as well as France, Spain, Holland, Ukraine, Turkey, Cuba, Columbia and the United States.

The evening began with a spectacular joint performance from all four musicians showing their, unique techniques on what is considered to be the king of instruments in the Arab world's musical heritage. The legendary players demonstrated their skills through various genres and played a range of pieces, including ‘Qaddak Al Mayyas’, and ‘Fouq Lna khal’.

In a solo performance, Syrian artist Husain Sabsaby played a collection of his own pieces, reflecting Syrian heritage, fused with his artistic visions. He played ‘Hadith Al Mattar’, followed by ‘Ya Mal Al Sham’, inspired by Qudoud, which originates from Aleppo.

Sabsaby played several masterpieces that emphasised his special ornamental techniques in authentic oriental music that made him an oud master in Syria, where he formed a number of renowned bands, most notably ‘Oud & Guitar’ band.

In another recital, Iraqi musician Khalid Mohammed Ali entertained the audience with traditional Arabic pieces such as ‘Maqam’, ‘Hijaz’ and ‘Kurd and Bayat’, demonstrating his outstanding ability to create rare melodies and rhythms.

Turkish artist Necati Çelik, who is dubbed Munir Bachir in his home country and considered one of the finest Turkish classical musicians, played a harmony of Arabic and Turkish music and as well as a variety of classical Turkish pieces drawn from a repertoire that goes back at least 300 years.

Çelik, who appeared for the first time at the Sharjah World Music Festival, reflected the beauty of Turkish classical music in his own style. He founded his own private school of music to teach oud and worked as teacher of the instrument at several academic institutions. He launched the first ever festival dedicated to the oud, where he brought the best players and manufacturers to celebrate its unique qualities.

Also in the line-up was celebrated Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma, who enchanted the audience with his personal renditions. He performed two pieces, the first of which was ‘Garcia Lorca’, which he composed in 2000, combining the oud and guitar, creating an exceptional fusion of Arabic and Spanish music. In his second piece, ‘Ashoria’, Shamma played several compositions to great applause by the audience, who cheered Shamma's style and skills, as he played using just one hand.

Shamma thanked the organisers of the festival for hosting him and his fellow musicians and said: "Sharjah has become the capital of culture. By hosting so many festivals that involve all forms of creativity, especially the Sharjah World Music Festival, the emirate is opening a new door for global musicians,"

He added: "The festival has built an internationally recognised reputation and, although it was launched just four years ago, the outstanding efforts of its organisers have attracted world-class artists to share their own culture and heritage."

Today (Sunday), Egyptian singer Reham Abdul Hakim, accompanied by the Cairo Opera House Orchestra – conducted by maestro Mohammad Al Mougi – will celebrate one of Egypt’s most legendary singers, Umm Kulthoum, in a concert featuring a selection of her most iconic and widely appreciated songs.

On Monday, January 9 the audience will be treated to an evening dedicated to a mesmerising dialogue between sitar and jazz. Masrah Al Qasba Theatre will host the Dutch Jazz trio – Mike del Ferro, Jeroen Vierdag and Bruno Castelluci – performing highly expressive melodies and extended improvisations.

Niladri Kumar, the renowned Indian classical sitar player, will be performing at the show along with jazz vocalist, Deborah J. Carter, who will give a rendition of her most popular songs.

By organising this extraordinary music festival, Furat Qaddouri Music Centre seeks to boost the cultural and art presence of Sharjah and the UAE, introduce various musical cultures around the world to the UAE community and add a new dimension to the emirate’s repertoire of tourist, art and culture attractions.