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Anwar Abudragh & Maqamat Ensemble last night took a highly enthusiastic audience at the Emirates Palace Ballroom on a thrilling musical journey. Maqam music, born in Iraq and one of the best-preserved religious music traditions of the Arab world connects to a modern crowd of all ages. In line with the Abu Dhabi Festival’s mandate to pay homage to the great 9th century musician, philosopher and scientist Abu Naser Muhammad Al Farabi, Anwar Abudragh & Maqamat Ensemble represents the first in a series of concerts that explore his legacy. Goksel Baktagir - Eastern Wind and Faisal Al Sari – Synthesis which collectively make up the Bayt Al Farabi series and will take place on the 28th and 29th March respectively.
Speaking after the show, Her Excellency Mrs Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Anwar Abudragh delivered an enthralling performance which illustrates why Maqam music continues to captivate audiences around the world. The intimate performance taught the crowd to look to the past in order to embrace the future”
Anwar Abudragh’s was joined on stage by five members of the Maqam ensemble: Hassan Faleh on Qanoon, Wessam Ayoub on Santoor, Ahmed Hameed on Oud, Firat Fahdel on percussions and Mehanna Hashem on violin. All members studied music at the Institute of Musical Studies and the College of Fine Arts at Baghdad University in Iraq, where they also later taught music.
Anwar Abudragh said after the show “I am very humbled to be able to help bring the tradition of Maqam music to such a passionate audience. The organisers of the Abu Dhabi Festival must be commended for providing an excellent platform for celebrating the rich and varied musical history of the Middle East”.
The Maqam, with its distinct characteristics, rules and aesthetics, places great importance on poetry and vocal melody which is traditionally sung by a soloist or a chorus accompanied by traditional musical instruments. It is a contemplative form of music and has been included in the list of intangible world heritage of UNESCO.
Anwar Abudragh together with the Maqam ensemble have echoed this musical heritage across the Arabic world and on the International music scene. They have performed to audiences across the Middle East and Europe. Founded in 2006, the Maqam ensemble studies and performs the classical Arabic repertoire with the purpose of sharing this important Arabic musical and lyrical treasure with the rest of the world.
Abu Dhabi Festival 2012
The Festival continues its commitment to showcasing the very best of the arts, with a schedule combining classical music, theatre and performing arts, jazz, ballet and fine arts. The programme crosses cultures and explores the past, present and future of artistic expression.
Amongst the performances to look forward to in the third week of the Abu Dhabi Festival is La Bayadere, a ballet from Semperoper on the 30th and 31st of March at the Emirates Palace auditorium. Tickets can be purchased online at www.timeouttickets.com/abudhabifestival; through the Abu Dhabi Festival ticket hotline number +971 50 9076158 and in person at the Emirates Palace Box Office. The Box Office will be open daily from 11am till 1pm and from 4pm till 7pm.
Between 11 March and 6 April, the Abu Dhabi Festival will play host to a range of talented artists, performers and musicians. For further information and details of the full Abu Dhabi Festival programme, ‘like’ us on Facebook and ‘follow’ us on Twitter or visit www.abudhabifestival.ae
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