Mike's Oud Forums

AL MUWASHAHAT

Alessandro - 10-4-2008 at 09:49 AM

Hello all,

Since having bought the CD AL MUWASHAHAT by Ghada Shbeir I have been hoplessly trying to find some more muwashahat (what is the plural form in arabic ?! ) in the same vein.
The small oriental takht of acoustic instruments seems perfect to me - far more personel than an orchestra. Does anyone have any ideas as to another performer/disc of the muwashhahat ? Adicted does not even describe the state of affaires at my place and I am worried that I might wear out the disc. :shrug:

Thanks to all,

Alex

SamirCanada - 10-4-2008 at 10:57 PM

Muwashahat is plural Alessandro.

but your not alone in thinking the Takht is wonderful.
I am with you :)
I also love muwashahat pieces.
If you like Muwashahat you would like traditional Qudud from the levent *al Sham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant

Alessandro - 10-5-2008 at 04:14 AM

Thanks Samir,
I'll have a look at the traditional Qudud from the leven as soon as I finish this message. Is the Takht in common usage these days ? All I seem to hear are the big orchestras. It seems to me as if some turkish music uses a kind of Takht. I have a disc of Tatyos Effendi recordings by Kurdsi Erdinger which has a similar feel.

Again mant thanks,

Alex

Brian Prunka - 10-5-2008 at 10:51 PM

The recordings by Aicha Redouane are similar repertoire and ensemble, though she has a much different voice than Ghada Shbeir. Another great CD of Muwashahat is Cedre, by Ensemble Morkos. I highly recommend that one if you like Shbeir's work.

Alessandro - 10-6-2008 at 05:02 AM

Thanks Brian. I'll check out these discs as soon as I can.

Alex

ALAMI - 10-6-2008 at 07:34 AM

Great choice Brian !

I may also add that best of all would be some old records of guys like Mohamad khairy and Omar Al Batsh and others...very difficult to find commercially.

Al Siadi website has some interesting old recordings:

http://www.alsiadi.com/Jukebox.html

and also in the mp3 section

Sabah Fakhri Mouwachahat Recording

John Erlich - 10-6-2008 at 10:20 AM

Hi Alessandro,

Although the quality of this recording is not the best (made in the 50's??), the quality of the performance is amazing: http://www.buyarabic.com/storeItem.asp?ic=MUAR001298

Enjoy,
John

Alessandro - 10-6-2008 at 10:25 AM

Hi Alami,
First off, many thanks for your help. As I say, the situation is rather desperate here. When you say that the old records (33s, I imagine) of Mohamad khairy and Omar Al Batsh are very hard to get old of, does this mean that there is no way to get hold of them or that you know of places where I could try?
The Al Siadi website looks interesting, I'll probably be there for most of the evening.

Alex

Alessandro - 10-6-2008 at 10:28 AM

Hi John
I'm definitely be looking into the Sabah Fakhri disc. You guys really have been very helpful. I'll soon be adding a few Muwashahat to my répertoire !

Really :bowdown:hanks a lot,

Alex
:bowdown:

amtaha - 10-6-2008 at 10:46 AM

Fairouz has one, no? The album with "laylo el sabbo" and "layaali el wasl" .. ?

Hamid

Brian Prunka - 10-6-2008 at 03:15 PM

The Fairuz one is not with a takht, but with a larger orchestra. The arrangements, while interesting, are decidedly non-traditional, including harmony etc. It's a nice disc overall, though. There's also a live version which I like somewhat better.
The Wadi el-Safi & Sabah Fakhri CD "Two Tenors and Qantara" (with 2 tracks by Simon Shaheen) is really good. It's a mix of folkloric pieces and muwashahat mostly. It should be relatively easy to find and is very well recorded. It's a little bigger than a standard takht, but keeps close to the traditional arrangement.

zalzal - 10-6-2008 at 10:23 PM

Other cds of takht playing muwashahat

- La Música de Al-Andalús - Ensemble Al-Ruzafa

- The crusades seen through the eyes of the orient by Ensemble al Kindi and Omar Sarmini (by the way i like a lot the style of the oud player of Al Kindi, Muhammad Qadri Dalal, who is coming fm Alep, Syria, the heart of mouwashahat)

- AL TURATH ENSEMBLE MUHHAMA HAMADIYIH LA MUSICA DE AL- ANDALUS LA MUWASHAHA

- Beirut Oriental Ensemble - Sayyed Darwish

Yes Ghada Shbeir is addictive
http://www.arabicouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=5986