Alwan for the Arts is proud to host a concert of

IRAQI MAQAM MUSIC

With

AMIR EL-SAFFAR

who returns to Alwan by popular demand

Saturday, October 15, 9:00 PM
Admission: $15 ($10 for students with valid ID)

THE MUSICIANS:
Amir ElSaffar--Santur and Vocal
Dena ElSaffar--Jowza and Vocal
Tim Moore--Percussion
Johnny Farraj--Percussion and Vocal

THE REPERTOIRE:
The Maqam of Iraq is a highly-sophisticated classical music form that has played a vital role in both secular and religious aspects of Iraqi society for many centuries. This urban vocal tradition, which is unique in the Arab world, contains elements that reach deep into Iraq's heritage and history. Performed primarily in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra, the Iraqi Maqam draws upon musical traditions of the geographical area of present-day Iraq and its neighboring lands. Melodies of Arab, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, and Turkoman origins are woven together into a cohesive repertoire of elaborate, semi-improvised compositions, known as maqamat, which are organized according to strict rules of structure and aesthetics of beauty.

Last updated: 2008-01-11 06:05:12