Qatar Foundation (QF) is launching a new platform for live musical performances that offer a truly authentic listening experience.
Under QF Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts – which celebrates the cultural heritage and arts of Arab Islamic civilisations – ‘Heart to Heart’ is a series devoted to both ancient and contemporary maqam classical music, a melodic Arabic music technique, with all performances being free of screens, amplification from loudspeakers, and mobile phones.
‘Heart to Heart’ is curated by musician, composer, researcher, and oud player Mustafa Said, founder of the Asil Ensemble, who will be the series’ opening performer on November 1 at 7pm in the Black Box Theatre at Multaqa.
Said’s performances embody his belief that the purity and authenticity of sound, melody, poetry, and the human voice lie at the origins of memory and identity, and that live music performed in this way is “the most honest dialogue between performer and recipient – from heart to heart”.
“Heart to Heart is intended to help restore people’s clarity of communication with their senses, especially their sense of hearing, and take them on a unique journey spanning the eight centuries of maqam – from the past, to the present, to the anticipation of the future,” he said.
“‘Heart to Heart’ aims to continue the tradition of authenticity. Listening to pure, natural sounds, including music, is the best motivation for contemplating the essence of universe and giving precedence to hearing over sight. Through these performances, we are also seeking to highlight maqam to listeners and music lovers, producing a new and contemporary melody that, if we nurture it, will help to ensure this aspect of Arab civilization has its rightful standing in the world.”
The opening ‘Heart to Heart’ performances will include melodies that will be heard for the first time, having been composed through extensive research into Arabic melodic manuscripts. Drawing on cultural heritage, Said will perform these contemporary works with Tawfiq Mirkhan, Ahmed al-Kouri, Ibrahim Kadr, and Hani al-Khatib – all teachers of the Arabic Department at QF’s Qatar Music Academy – as the Doha Ensemble For Classical Maqam; and with Ali Hout from the Asil Ensemble.
Following the performance, the audience will have the opportunity for a conversation with the musicians, organised in partnership with QF’s BilAraby initiative. These interactions will also be part of subsequent ‘Heart to Heart’ performances with musicians who have dedicated their lives and art to maqam: Negar Bouban will perform by the end of November in an edition titled ‘Women and the Oud’; Dr Ahmed al-Salhi, a Kuwaiti musician and researcher, will perform in a edition titled ‘Gulf Sound Traditions’ by the end of January ; Fikret Karakaya will perform ‘Ottoman Maqam’ in March; and Mohammad Antar will perform ‘With the Ney’ in May.
The ‘Heart to Heart’ series of evenings includes a series of workshops in cooperation with QF’s Herfah programme, where those interested in music will also be able to participate in sessions focused on arts and heritage. These workshops will take place before the musical performances begin at each event.
Under QF Al Ghorrah for Literature and Arts – which celebrates the cultural heritage and arts of Arab Islamic civilisations – ‘Heart to Heart’ is a series devoted to both ancient and contemporary maqam classical music, a melodic Arabic music technique, with all performances being free of screens, amplification from loudspeakers, and mobile phones.
‘Heart to Heart’ is curated by musician, composer, researcher, and oud player Mustafa Said, founder of the Asil Ensemble, who will be the series’ opening performer on November 1 at 7pm in the Black Box Theatre at Multaqa.
Said’s performances embody his belief that the purity and authenticity of sound, melody, poetry, and the human voice lie at the origins of memory and identity, and that live music performed in this way is “the most honest dialogue between performer and recipient – from heart to heart”.
“Heart to Heart is intended to help restore people’s clarity of communication with their senses, especially their sense of hearing, and take them on a unique journey spanning the eight centuries of maqam – from the past, to the present, to the anticipation of the future,” he said.
“‘Heart to Heart’ aims to continue the tradition of authenticity. Listening to pure, natural sounds, including music, is the best motivation for contemplating the essence of universe and giving precedence to hearing over sight. Through these performances, we are also seeking to highlight maqam to listeners and music lovers, producing a new and contemporary melody that, if we nurture it, will help to ensure this aspect of Arab civilization has its rightful standing in the world.”
The opening ‘Heart to Heart’ performances will include melodies that will be heard for the first time, having been composed through extensive research into Arabic melodic manuscripts. Drawing on cultural heritage, Said will perform these contemporary works with Tawfiq Mirkhan, Ahmed al-Kouri, Ibrahim Kadr, and Hani al-Khatib – all teachers of the Arabic Department at QF’s Qatar Music Academy – as the Doha Ensemble For Classical Maqam; and with Ali Hout from the Asil Ensemble.
Following the performance, the audience will have the opportunity for a conversation with the musicians, organised in partnership with QF’s BilAraby initiative. These interactions will also be part of subsequent ‘Heart to Heart’ performances with musicians who have dedicated their lives and art to maqam: Negar Bouban will perform by the end of November in an edition titled ‘Women and the Oud’; Dr Ahmed al-Salhi, a Kuwaiti musician and researcher, will perform in a edition titled ‘Gulf Sound Traditions’ by the end of January ; Fikret Karakaya will perform ‘Ottoman Maqam’ in March; and Mohammad Antar will perform ‘With the Ney’ in May.
The ‘Heart to Heart’ series of evenings includes a series of workshops in cooperation with QF’s Herfah programme, where those interested in music will also be able to participate in sessions focused on arts and heritage. These workshops will take place before the musical performances begin at each event.