“Our earth has been set on fire. Our roots are being ripped up. Our future is drowning in indifference” – Zad Moultaka
Composer Zad Moultaka found inspiration for The passion of Adonis in the poetry of the now 86-year-old world famous Syrian poet Adonis, an almost ritual, meditative performance which brings together words and music. Moultaka made a recording of Adonis as he read from his collection Al Kitab (The book). Even though they were written 20 years ago, the violent situation in the Middle East was already palpable in this poetry. Moultaka finds the theme for his composition in Adonis’ powerful and melodious recital, summed up as a journey through obscurity, an oratorio for the devastated Syria. On stage, opera star Amel Brahim-Djelloul and a trio of top musicians enter into dialogue with the voice of Adonis. Composer and visual artist Zad Moultaka lives and works in Paris. Following a successful career as a pianist, from 1993 he decided to focus his energies on composing. In 2004 he set up the Ensemble Mezwej. Zad Moultaka will represent Lebanon at the upcoming Venice Biennale.
Moussem Tarab
‘Tarab’ is a key concept in the Arab tradition. It is the experience of expanded consciousness when everything comes together; music, poetry, emotion and atmosphere. It is a sublime and cathartic moment, a ‘sigh of the soul’, an absolute connection between musicians and their audience. Central to the tarab experience is the supreme form of song, immortalised by the mythical Oum Kalthoum. In the four concerts which the Moussem Nomadic Arts Centre and BOZAR are presenting we invite you to take part in a contemporary tarab experience: composers, leading musicians and celebrated voices from North Africa and the Middle East mix musical tradition and contemporary sounds, and classical and contemporary poetry go hand in hand. These four concerts promise to be a generous, shared and collective experience.
Moussem Tarab concerts:
13.01.2018 Souad Massi - ‘El Mutakallimun’
22.02.2018 Karima Skalli & Ensemble Rachid Zeroual - ‘Le bonheur du chant’
24.03.2018 Zad Moultaka & Ensemble Mezwej - ‘La passion d’Adonis’
Read more on the concept of Tarab, text by composer and musicologist Nabil Benabdeljalil
Adonis poet, voice – Ensemble Mezwej – Zad Moultaka director – Amel Brahim-Djelloul vocals – Rachid Brahim-Djelloul violin – Yousef Zayed oud – Claudio Bettinelli drums
“Our earth has been set on fire. Our roots are being ripped up. Our future is drowning in indifference” – Zad Moultaka
Composer Zad Moultaka found inspiration for The passion of Adonis in the poetry of the now 86-year-old world famous Syrian poet Adonis, an almost ritual, meditative performance which brings together words and music. Moultaka made a recording of Adonis as he read from his collection Al Kitab (The book). Even though they were written 20 years ago, the violent situation in the Middle East was already palpable in this poetry. Moultaka finds the theme for his composition in Adonis’ powerful and melodious recital, summed up as a journey through obscurity, an oratorio for the devastated Syria. On stage, opera star Amel Brahim-Djelloul and a trio of top musicians enter into dialogue with the voice of Adonis. Composer and visual artist Zad Moultaka lives and works in Paris. Following a successful career as a pianist, from 1993 he decided to focus his energies on composing. In 2004 he set up the Ensemble Mezwej. Zad Moultaka will represent Lebanon at the upcoming Venice Biennale.
Moussem Tarab
‘Tarab’ is a key concept in the Arab tradition. It is the experience of expanded consciousness when everything comes together; music, poetry, emotion and atmosphere. It is a sublime and cathartic moment, a ‘sigh of the soul’, an absolute connection between musicians and their audience. Central to the tarab experience is the supreme form of song, immortalised by the mythical Oum Kalthoum. In the four concerts which the Moussem Nomadic Arts Centre and BOZAR are presenting we invite you to take part in a contemporary tarab experience: composers, leading musicians and celebrated voices from North Africa and the Middle East mix musical tradition and contemporary sounds, and classical and contemporary poetry go hand in hand. These four concerts promise to be a generous, shared and collective experience.
Moussem Tarab concerts:
13.01.2018 Souad Massi - ‘El Mutakallimun’
22.02.2018 Karima Skalli & Ensemble Rachid Zeroual - ‘Le bonheur du chant’
24.03.2018 Zad Moultaka & Ensemble Mezwej - ‘La passion d’Adonis’
Read more on the concept of Tarab, text by composer and musicologist Nabil Benabdeljalil
