Syrian-born ud player, singer and composer Nawras Altaky combines influences from various classical traditions in his work, both those of the West and those of modal or maqam music. But he includes influences from jazz and pop into his music just as easily. In this podcast he talks about his work, and also about his plans as city composer of Utrecht for Composer’s Day 2025 (21 June 2025) .
If you ask the music makers, composers and musicians in our country, what music should everyone really have heard at least once? The entire interview with Maxim Shalygin is available in the podcast Music Makers.
Picture: (c) Simon van Boxtel on behalf of New Music Now
Playlist
- Field recording (from YT)
Trad: Mahboub, traditional Druzen song and dance from As Swuyda, South Syria
5’00” - Field recording (from YT)
Trad: Wedding song from the heritage of Suwayda
2’12” - recording VPRO Vrije Geluiden / Music Meeting All Ears
Nawras Altaky, arr. Oene van Geel: Autumn Nights
Dyar & guests
Dyar:
Nawras Altaky – vocals, ud
Lucas Dols – double bass
Ghaeth Almaghoot – clarinet
Modar Salama – percussion
Guests:
Marieke de Bruijn – violin
Oene van Geel – viola
Annie Tångberg – cello
Matthias Konrad – trombone
6’35” - CD Aghany Film Mamnoaa El Hob, pt 1
Mohammed Abdel Wahab: Ya Mesafer Wahdak
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
7’22” - own recording (from YT)
Trad: El Helwa Di
Sayed Darwish
1’16” - single El Helwa Di-Live
Trad, arr. Nawras Altaky: El Helwa Di
Dyar
10’05” - own recording Nawras Altaky
Nawras Altaky: Hidden Maktub (live at Bimhuis)
Nawras Altaky Septet
6’58” - recording Bimhuis TV
Nawras Altaky: Damascus By Night
Nawras Altaky Septet:
Nawras Altaky oud/vocals/composition/arrangement
Oene Van Geel – Cello & Trombone
Teis Semey – Viola & Guitar
Marianne Noordink – Ney & Flute
Kinan Abuakel – Buzuk
Remy Dielemans – Bass
Udo Demant – Percussion
13’32”
