Simon Shaheen: Music of the Arab World (RBA)

Simon Shaheen is one of the world’s greatest players of the ‘ud (short-necked fretted lute that is the ancestor of the European lute) and one of the most influential Arab musicians and composers of his generation. Internationally renowned, he has enthralled audiences with his mastery of both the ‘ud and violin and his brilliant improvisations. In this program, Simon Shaheen (‘ud, violin) will be joined by Najib Shaheen (‘ud), Rami Abuolaya (nay – flute), Tareq Rantisi (Arab percussion), and Nano Raies (vocal). Their program will feature original and traditional Arab instrumental and vocal music, including the sama`i (instrumental form popular in Arab and Turkish music), the tahmila (traditional Arab dance music form), and irtijal (the art of improvisation). The performance will also include a medley of Palestinian folk songs, Lebanese vocal selections from the 70s, and the traditional muwashshah (complex vocal form based on classical Arabic poems that originated in Andalusia).

Simon Shaheen, born in the village of Tarshiha in the Galilee into a Palestinian family, was steeped in music in early childhood. He has written music and scores for theater and films, including The Sheltering Sky and Malcolm X. In 1994 he received the prestigious National Heritage fellowship, this nation’s highest honor in the traditional arts. In 1997 he founded the Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College, an annual event that brings together the finest educators, performers, and students of Arab music for intensive study and performance. He currently teaches at Berklee College of Music.