Hatem_Afandi - 3-24-2012 at 11:30 AM
The first time I interacted with Samir Azar was about 7 years ago where I took the risk of asking someone I have never met to build me an oud.
We corresponded numerous times about the design details, including the type of wood, style...etc.
In the process, I learned a great deal about the oud as an instrument. Samir was VERY accommodating and answered all my questions with patience and
courtesy.
About a month later, my oud arrived...It is one of the BEST instruments I have ever seen in my life in terms of workmanship and performance. It has a
VERY powerful output with a nice sound and excellent sustain....I simply fell in love with my first floating bridge oud.
I called Samir to thank him for a brilliant job well-done. We became friends since then, despite the fact that we have never met in person.
I have fallen in love with Samir's oud to the point where I asked him, several years later, to build me another one from his most preferred wood,
sysam.
We became friends on FB. I emailed and called a few times to wish him a Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and throughout other occasions.
Hatem_Afandi - 3-24-2012 at 11:31 AM
Today, his post on FB read as follows:
“My luthiery is knocked down...
As for me, my loss can never be compensated.
Twenty years of my life spent in manually toiling , dissolving my eyes and soul into my musical instruments I then shipped to more than twenty
countries are gone!
My shop is ravished and destroyed with the walnut, Indian rosewood, and ebony woods are used for heating.
My tools and precious archives went under the feet of the executioners.
It was my temple and sacred retreat.
My God Curse the Oppressors.”
I am not exaggerating if I say that we all lost a GREAT heritage by one of the best luthieres of our times. The good news is: I am sure that he will
have a comeback through his brilliant resiliance.
Please keep our dear friend Samir and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Brian Prunka - 3-24-2012 at 11:54 AM
I have often wondered how he was doing recently, and hoping for the best. This is sad, indeed. I hope that he and his family are (and remain) okay,
that is the most important thing.
Aymara - 3-24-2012 at 01:14 PM
That are very bad news ... best wishes!
michoud - 3-24-2012 at 06:42 PM
Samir is a great luthier and a great man.
I meet him 6 years ago, he made an oud and one buzuk for me. I decide to go to Syria to take my instruments and visit the country. After that I went
to Syria, and I lived one year in Homs. I lived close to his workshop and his home, I used to go to him a lot, and I meet all his family ,which always
welcomed me.
I loved to visit him in his workshop, talk about music, oud making...
I´m in contact with him every time, and thanks God he and his family are all ok. They are out of Homs from some months ago.
I hope (well I think all of us) this nightmare will finish soon for the syrian people, and I hope that Samir will begin again to make great
instruments.
Good luck my friend, best wishes!
Alan-TX - 3-26-2012 at 09:14 AM
Thanks for the update Hatem. I have been wondering about him recently. While sad about his workshop I am glad to hear that he and his family are Ok.
arturo864 - 3-27-2012 at 04:46 AM
Those are sad news. One day after this was posted, I bought a Samir Azar oud, my first one. It was finished in May, 2010. My best wished to Samir Azar
and his family.
Jason - 3-28-2012 at 10:25 PM
Very sad to hear this. I hope he and his family can remain safe.
abusin - 3-29-2012 at 05:20 AM
Thanks for the concern Hatem, all the best wishes to Samir and family and lets hope all this end soon,
Samir is a gentleman and a true musician and artist in his dealings and his craftmanship,
thanks all for the updates, I hope he can see this some day
Hatem_Afandi - 3-29-2012 at 04:01 PM
Dear All,
Thanks for the compassion and the decency. I am sure our friend Samir will bounce back better than before. All we have to do is pray and hope that his
ordeal will be over soon.
A special thanks to those who contacted me and Samir on FB, including my dear friend Amos :-)
Best Regards,
Hatem
cjmichael - 3-30-2012 at 06:27 AM
Very sad indeed. What a horrible loss. Wishing that he and his loved ones remain safe.
Alan-TX - 3-30-2012 at 09:35 AM
If any ones an instrument made by Samir consider posting a pic of it on his FB page.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samir-Azar/100002303956309
Hatem_Afandi - 3-30-2012 at 02:23 PM
Great idea, Alan.
I already did. I hope the rest of our friends will follow suit.