Free for all ages

The Alwan Arab Music Ensemble will perform from 5:00-6:00pm at the Arab-American Family Support Center's 8th Annual Arab American Heritage Music Festival.

The Festival will take place in Brooklyn's Prospect Park from 1:00pm -6:00pm, and will also feature performances by Alsarah & the Nubatones, Omnia, Ashraf, Tariq Sultan Dance Group, and a Dabke Workshop by Ramzi Edlibi.

For more information about the Festival, visit www.aafscny.org/

About the Alwan Arab Music Ensemble

George Ziadeh, oud, vocals

Tareq Abboushi, buzuq, vocals

Sami Shumays, violin, vocals

Johnny Farraj, riqq, vocals

Zafer Tawil, qanun, violin, vocals

Amir ElSaffar, santur, vocals

Listen to an interview and performance by the ensemble on WNYC's New Sounds, hosted by John Schaeffer.

Classical Arab Music

The notion of “classical" in Arab culture has existed since the Islamic Golden Age (750-1250 CE), a period in which great strides were made in the arts and sciences, much of which was influenced by ancient Greek philosophy and thought which, in turn, had their foundation in Egyptian and Semitic cultures. During this era, musicians and theorists developed the complex system of seven-note modes known as maqamat (singular: maqam), which lie at the heart of most Arab, as well as Persian, Turkish, and Central Asian musical styles to the present day.

In the classical art music traditions of Cairo, Aleppo, and Baghdad—three important Arab cities with great legacies in art and culture—each has a unique repertory: the dawr and qasida of Cairo; the Andalucían muwashshahat of Aleppo; and al-maqam al-iraqi of Baghdad; with distinct characteristics, rules, and aesthetics. Yet all adhere to the maqam and place great importance on poetry and the vocal melody sung either by a soloist or a chorus, and accompanied by ensembles of traditional instruments, including the oud (lute), qanun (zither), nay (flute), violin, santur (hammered dulcimer), riqq (tambourine), and tabla (goblet drum).

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Directions:

15th Street Entrance (in Park Slope) to the Park.

Subway: F Train to 15th Street

Last updated: 2012-07-11 15:29:19