Salute Concert now Available on DVD
Relive the concert that gave musical expression to the hopes and aspirations of the Arab World in the Bay Area.
Aswat’s Salute to the Youth of Egypt & Tunisia (and the Arab World) concert is now on DVD. Place your order by mailing a $30 check made payable to ZAWAYA to the following address:
Zawaya
311 41st Ave.
San Mateo CA 94403
Please indicate on the check that this payment is for the “Salute” DVD, and make sure you provide us with your correct mailing address. We will mail the DVD to you as soon as we receive your payment.
Ya Asmar il- lon
Ya Asmar il- lon arranged by Sari Dowidar. Maqams Naha- wand dokah, Rast dokah.
Asmar Al loon
(The Brown colored beloved)
O you tan skinned lover,
O my sweet brown one.
O my darling Leila,
I’m tired of being tossed around.
My eyes are full of tears and sadness,
and I’m afraid to talk about my longing for you,
for someone may prevent us from being together
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Rubbama / Unadikum featuring Yasmeen Daifallah
Rubbama Lyrics by the Palestinian poet Samih al-Qasem, composed by Ziad Butros for his sister, the singer Julia Butros. Unadikum Lyrics by Palestinian poet Tawfiq Zayyad, composed by Ahmed Kaabour, featuring Yasmeen Daifallah.
Yasmeen Daifallah is from Egypt and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in Political Theory , UC Berkeley.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Tayr al-Wirwar featuring Rana Mroue
Tayr al-Wirwar composed by Rahbani Brothers for Fairuz. Maqam ‘ajamdo, featuring Rana Mroue.
Rana Mroue is from Lebanon and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in Molecular Biology , UC Berkeley.
Tayr al wirwar
[The Bee Eater (bird)]
Dear Bee Eater, pass by the loved ones, give them my regards and let me know how they fare.
On the hills of the forgotten sun and the yellow Sycamore leaves,
we fly and arise slowly until the world becomes smaller.
In the fig orchards, November calls.
Often in the silence of the moon, I hear your voice calling me,
I fear my parent may awake one night and the secrets sadly wear out.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Mohammed Fawzi Medley
Mohammed Fawzi Medley composed by Muhammad Fawzi (1918-1966).
Maqams: Hijaz dokah, Nahawand dokah, Rast Nawa.
Arranged by Sari Dowidar.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Ulli a’mallak ayh albi featuring Husain Resan
Ulli a’mallak ayh albi composed by Muhammed Abd el-Wahab (1907-1991).
Maqam Huzam featuring Husain Resan.
Husain Resan – Born in Iraq, Husain Resan is a composer, musician and a singer. He studied ‘oud at age 14 in Bayt al-Fann in Baghdad and joined its music ensemble at age 16. In the US, he studied violin at City College. Husain plays ‘oud, violin, and bass, he sings and is presenting his first composition tonight “Wajhun min al-Madi”.
Ulli A’mallak Ayh albi
(Tell me what my heart did to you)
Tell me what my heart did to you.
My heart that you are ignoring.
Tell me who I should bring to read my thoughts to you,
and who would listen to my words,my passion, and my love.
Where were you hiding all this indifference?
Could you tell me what’s wrong between us?
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Santour Solo featuring Mohammed Nejad
Mohammad Nejad, a Persian-born master multi-instrumentalist, was born to a musical family in Tehran, Iran. As a young child, Persian classical music was passed down to him from his father. In Tehran he attended a special high school for musicians, later graduating from Fine Arts Academy in 1976, and in 1990 received a Bachelors of Fine Arts Musicianship and Performance from Tehran University, proficient in both the Western and Persian musical systems. While studying toward the completion of his degree, he was blessed with having master teachers of Persian classical music including Ostad Roushanravan, Ostad Sinaki, Ostad Jankook, Ostad Paayvar, Ostad Tavakol, Ostad Tahmasebiyan, Ostad Moosavi, Ostad Khoshdel and Ostad Baharlou.
He performs regularly with the acclaimed Bay area Central Asian dance company Ballet Afsaneh. He collaborates with many other musicians and ensembles. He has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, including most campuses of the University of California, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Ethnic Dance Festival in San Francisco, and the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. He teaches privately and through workshops.
Here he established the Nejad World Music Center, to teach youth and adults in the community and bring world artists to the United States for collaboration and performance.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Bil-Ladhi Askara featuring Sarah Michael
Bil-Ladhi Askara a muwashshah of an unknown composer on ¾ beat. Maqam Bayati dokah. Arrangement by Sari Dowidar. Taqsim on cello by Sarah Michael.
Bil-Ladhi Askara
The nights concealed the secret of our passion.
Their darkness could have hidden us forever, but for the
sunlight of new days, when our lucky star fell straight down
with a good omen for a brighter day.
The scent and the tan of your lips sipping from goblets, your
dark and beautiful eyelids, and your teeth like pearls made
magic bow and get closer to your beauty.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Al Hubb Al- Awwal featuring Rima Ayyash
Al Hubb Al-Awwal composed by Muhammad Abd el-Wahab (1907-1991). Maqam ‘ajamdo. Taqsim on the violin by Rima Ayyash.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD.
Adduka Al Mayyas featuring Bashar Kellow
Adduka Al Mayyas Qad Halabi of a Turkish folk song on 4/4 beat. Maqam Hijaz Dokah. Music and choral arrangement by Sari Dowidar, featuring Barney Jones, Taqsim on ‘oud by Bashar Kellow.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Risalah min taht il-maa featuring Marwan Mero
Risalah min taht il-maa’ composed by Mohammad al Mawgi (1923-1995) for Abdel Halim Hafez (1929-1977). Maqam ‘ajam solo, featuring Marwan Mero.
Marwan Mero
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Taqsim on Percussion by Louay Dahbour
Taqsim on Percussion by Louay Dahbour
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Siret el-Hob featuring Gunsu Temirer
Siret el-Hob composed by Baligh Hamdi (1934-1993) for Um Kulthum (1902-1975), Maqam Rahat Al-Arwah, featuring Gunsu Temirer. Taqsim on Nay by Hector Bezanis.
Gunsu Temirer
Gunsu Temirer is from Turkey . She identifies as a domestic engineer while preparing for her CPA future career. She has been in awe of Arabic music and dance since her early teens.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Ya Ghusnu Naqa
Ya Ghusnu Naqa a muwashshah on ¾ beat. Maqam Huzam.
Taqsim on ‘oud by Ala Kallel.
Ya Ghusna Naqa
(Oh Pure Branch)
O my beloved,
O you, crowned with gold and pure beauty
like the branch of a tree.
I would give my life to save you from harm,
I swear to you by my mother and father.
You are always in my dreams.
Have pity on me,
you whose love could be the remedy for my heart.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Palestinian Medley
Palestinian Medley: Dal’ona, Ya Zarifa at-Tul and Jafra, featuring two debke dancers, Rana Mroue from Aswat and Muhammad Al-Shurafah from Al-Juthoor Dance Company.
From the Aswat Ensemble 2009 Winter Concert, now available on DVD
Backstage at the 2009 Winter Concert
Behind the scenes footage of Maestro Sari Dowidar tuning up the Aswat Ensemble just prior to their performance on January 24th, 2009
Interview with Rana Mroue
Rana Mroue
Interview with Yasmeen Daifallah
Yasmeen Daifallah
Interview with Sari Dowidar
Sari Dowidar
Sari Dowidar’s musical style is an apt reflection of the latest trends in Arab music in the 21st century – the product of cross-fertilization between Middle Eastern and Western sensibilities. Mr. Dowidar’s brilliance is evident in his ability to maintain the integrity of traditional Arab music while incorporating non-traditional elements such as Western harmony and instruments. The result is a breathtaking musical landscape of depth, layer, and texture that is at once new and familiar.
Mr. Dowidar is trained in classical Arab music at the Academy of Music in Cairo. He has conducted various university choirs, including that of the American University in Cairo. He is a notable composer for such prominent Egyptian opera house singers as Ahmad Ibrahim, Azza Balba, and Reham Abdal-Hakim. Last July, Mr. Dowidar conducted the Arab Music Ensemble at the Opera House in Cairo. Prior to his stint with Aswat, he was conductor of the Popular Folkloric Arts Troupe for the Cairo “Ballone” Theater.
