The Andalus Arabic Choirand Murex Media present a Tribute to Ziad Rahbani
Join us for the first time in Australia, in a tribute to the music of Ziad Rahbani, who’s compositions make you feel an instant pull that just astounds you. One of the undisputed icons of Middle Eastern 20thcentury music.
Our program includes a selection of his songs stylistically touched by Lebanon’s own cultural and historical events, a reflection of that unique time, yet still applicable today. Our Concert is a celebration of his vivid and nostalgic songs.
Performing artists: Andalus Arabic Choir, Ghada Daher-Elmowy, Chris Mousa and special guest Claude Kachi. Vocalists will be accompanied by an orchestra of elite musicians.
From a classic Andalusian song to another that might veer into a Gallic chanson, while another takes a spiritual oriental smooth jazz flair, or swings to a samba tune yet somehow closes with an unconventional finale, something that sounds distinctly Ziad. From calm to intense, his music throws you into the depths of some profound saudade, only to pick you up and subvert you into the most joyful of feelings. Such is the power of his music.
Venue: Bryan Brown Theatre, Bankstown
Address: Cnr Rickard & Chapel Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200
Date: 8 & 9 November 2019
Time: 7.30-9.40pm (Doors open 7.00pm)
Tickets: $125; $75 (Reserved seating)
Read more
Ziad Rahbani: A composer, pianist, playwright, actor, activist and political commentator. He is a maverick figure who has never been too far from public controversy. Born in 1956, he is the son of Feiruz, one of the Arab world’s most famous living singer, and Assi Rahbani, one of the founders of modern Arab music. Educated in a musical family and living throughout the Lebanese war, he followed his own muse. His first composition at the age of 17 was “Sa’alouni ennass” for Feiruz, which acknowledged his musical abilities and led him to follow his own path. His music showed his love of Lebanese folk and Arabic music, jazz, soul, and bossa nova. Ziad sought to blend these genres into his own fusion.
His compositions are well known throughout the Arab world. He sees no distance between music, literature and theatre where he expressed true feelings of love, disappointment, social issues and injustice, as well as satirising the traditional political establishment in Lebanon, an ideology pertinent and applicable to other Arab countries. Hence, a global increase in popularity amongst Arabs in support of his artistic ventures.
He worked closely with Feiruz releasing eight albums with her. Over the course of his long and storied career, Ziad collaborated with other artists such as Joseph Sakr, Sami Hawwat, Latifa, Salma and others. Although an atheist, he wrote many beautiful religious hymns (Kyrie Eleison, Touba li Sa3ina, Al majdu laka etc.)
His works includes a long list of songs and theatrical plays. Ziad remains productive, a key part of the Lebanese music scene at large, a highly accomplished pianist and an influential figure who inspires the young as well as the older generations.
Andalus Arabic Choir 