GHADA SHBEIR: Al Muwashahat

Ghada Shbeir

Al Muwashahat

© 2006 forward Music (634479300172)

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Classical arabic, Arabo-andalusian, tarab

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Ghada Shbeir "Winner of the BBC3 World Music Award" for 2007

You can also hear Ghada Shbeir in CD:"Communique#2" (tracks 2 and 5)


This CD represents the quintessence of the “Muwashah”. Care for details and complete reproduction of suites, without any new composition of preludes, interludes or finales; make of this work an authentic product of “Tarab”.

This recording is the fruit of a convergence between “Forward music”, great musicians and a fascinating singer, whose goal was to go back into the past, and bring this music to life in its integrity. A series of extraordinary musical sessions occurred during the recording of this CD. We were immersed in a state of exaltation re-living that golden era in Arab history, when humanism, music and the arts prevailed.

To those who’re not familiar with “Tarab”, we invite you to discover the meaning of this word in music. And to those who are already familiar with this genre, we‘re quite sure that you will find in this CD all the ecstasy proper to this style.


Participants:


Ghada Shbeir Vocals Transcription-Research

Charbel Rouhana Oud (Arabic Luth)Transcription–Band Leader

Ali El Khatib Rik (Arabic Percussions)

Samir Siblini Nay (Arabic Pan Flute)

Tony Khalifeh Violin

Abboud Saadi Acoustic Bass



Ghazi AbdelBaki Executive Producer-Recording-Mixing- Mastering

Forward Music Producers

Recorded Mixed & Mastered at Forward Productions Studios- Beirut-Lebanon



Ghada Shbeir – Biography:

Ghada Shbeir is born in Lebanon. She studied Musical Sciences at the University of USEK and has a Masters Degree in Musicology and Middle Eastern Singing. Today she teaches singing and Middle Eastern Theory at USEK and at the National Conservatory of Music. She is considered one of the leading specialists in Arabo-Andalusian singing, Assyrian, Maronite and Antique Religious chants.

In 1997, Ghada Shbeir was awarded the first prize of the best Arabic Singer competition in Egypt. She represents Lebanon frequently in music conventions and festivals around the world. (Poland, Canada, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Spain, London, Paris…)

Ghada Shbeir has published two books. The first is a study of the Arabo-Andalusian singing tradition “ The Muwashah after the Cairo caucus of 1932” and the second is a research on the music of Sayyed Darwish “ The Muwashahat and Adwars of Sayyed Darwish”

She recently won the BBC World Music Award for the Middle East and North Africa, and the Audience Award for 2007.

reviews

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  • Al Muwashahat
    author: Sophia Smith

    This is a recording of ancient Arabic music, from a scholar who sought to give a faithful rendition of the music and to be true to its spirit. She is as much an artist as a scholar - this music is poetic and full of passion. I love this CD and could not imagine ever becoming tired of it.

  • Wonderful Singer
    author: Georgina

    Listening to Lalla Ghada's wonderful voice was an 'A La Recherche du Temps Perdu' experience. Closing my eyes brought back the perfumes (jasmine and night-scented stock) and the evening warmth of my terrace in Tangier, Morocco, where I spent eight years working, but which felt more like eight years extended holiday! The faces and voices of my friends jostled in my memories, and, altogether, I cannot be more grateful to this wonderful singer. Thank you!

  • author: John Plant

    Extremely original, with the taste of authenticity. Pure pleasure. The musicians are splendid, and it is a blessèd relief to hear real musicians playing real instruments with such gusto and sensitivity.

  • utterly wonderful
    author: kate

    mesmerising, beautiful, haunting music. my only regret is that I speak no arabic so cannot read the lyrics. I am inspired to find out more about the history of this music.

  • The Voice of an Angel
    author: Aria Parsi

    One need not know Arabic to spend hours per day enjoying this CD. This is how civilized people present their Shock and Awe.

  • Wonderful
    author: Stephen

    This CD was a very welcome birthday gift. I haven't stopped playing it, even though I don't understand a word -the music is just beautiful.

  • Mesmerising.
    author: Andrew P.

    Heard a little of this artist on a BBC Radion 4 broadcast and felt compelled to find a CD. It is like nothing I have heard before: I do not understand Arabic but, this proved no obstacle to my thorough enjoyment of a beautiful melding of instruments and voice. It is not 'easy listening' and requires the close attention of the listener, but the rewards are wholly satisfying.

  • An excellent recording of a superb voice and orchestra.
    author: Stephen Swingler

    From the top drawer of world music. An excellent recording of a superb voice and orchestra. Arabian singing meeting medievel Spain - it is Tarab at its most fluid. Tremendous music.

  • This is WONDERFUL!
    author: Martin Gordon

    Six stars! Takes you straight to Lebanon.

  • liked her concert better
    author: anna donck

    I like her voice and the music. I first heard her on BBC radio where she gave a concert. In that concert I heard a lot more improvisation than on this CD, which is why I was little bit disappointed. I find this CD a bit too static and stiff. I hope she will do more improvisation. Maybe she had another band in that concert??

  • Great gift
    author: Christian

    Loved it. All my friends did too. So i bought some more and offered them around!

  • Fantastico! Suggestioni mai sentite!
    author: Nicola

    Mamma mia! Raramente capita di ascoltare musica di questo livello. La «pelle d'oca» è garantita! La signora Ghada Shbeir (si pronuncia Rada, con la r alla francese, a giudicare come il nome è scritto in caratteri arabi) entra come un fulmine nel panorama musicale mondiale. Straordinaria!

  • Tasteful, powerful, masterful.
    author: Manfred Malzahn

    Tasteful, powerful, masterful. A fitting tribute to a wonderful piece of musical heritage. I would have loved to see the lyrics included in the booklet, though...

  • beautiful and innovative
    author: gerard

    Too bad Muwashahat have a lot to do with drinking and wine. Melodies are beautiful, she sings in a polished and innovative manner. I found some similar effects that I found with Marie keyrouz, like the subtle shivering tones. It is a new Lebanese, western friendly to singing arabic music. I find most calssical arab and perisan singers (Oum Kalthoum, Shajarian, or others...) more passionate and less formal. It is probably a bit inspired by modern interpretation of medieval European singers. In sum, a delightful CD to listen to, especially for Lebanese and western listeners.

  • Stunning voice, beautiful music
    author: Howard

    Ghada Shbeir has a simply stunning voice - truly one of the most talented singers I have ever come across. The setting of these pieces, with a small group of traditional instruments (oud, percussion, acoustic bass etc) works very well. All the playing is top-notch, and the overall result is a set of wonderful, exotic and beautiful pieces of music.

  • Should get more international attention !
    author: Saskia Bender

    Somehow this cd was unknown to me until I read it was nominated for the BBC World Music Awards ('The Planets'). I receive a lot of cd's, working for a radio station, but not this one. I find it a beautiful work. What an astounding voice this singer has, and what subtle improvisations. She should be internationally represented and promoted by a major label. Or is she already ?? Great music has no boundaries !

  • An elegant mixture of Muwashahat as musicology and pleasure
    author: Fady Joudah

    The CD is so lovely, it makes me want more. There are songs I keep returning to. It is a highly commendable effort that balances Muwashahat as tradition and professional musicology on the one hand, with the pure pleasure of listening on the other.

  • Are you a newbie looking for the music of the Middle East? Start right here.
    author: Elatia Harris

    THE honey-voiced Middle Eastern singer of our day, and a more gorgeous sound cannot be imagined. With her passion, understanding and musical scholarship, Ghada Shbeir is the complete artist. She may be familiar to you from her collaboration with Constantinople and En Chordais a couple of years ago, singing one of the Cantigas de Santa Maria. Al Muwashahat is her only solo CD that I've been able to find -- a superb opportunity to habituate your ear to Arabo-Andalusian musical forms, and to the sound of the Eastern end of the Mediterranean. Buy it for its startling beauty.

  • a divine voice
    author: cristos g.

    mrs. ghada shbeir your voice looks like the sound of the moon when it rise up the sky. thank you so much!

  • there's no comparison !
    author: Michael Esaili

    Dear Ms. Shbeir, You have elevated the art of the "Muwashahat" to a completely new level, rendition and performance! Your voice is a blessing from heavens, Thank you very much for this jewel! Michael

  • Really beautiful work
    author: Victor Esses

    Beautiful work, nice rendition of the muwashahat, superb musicians.

  • Oh my!
    author: Shelly

    Ordinarily, I don't do the review thing. But I'm making an exception for this CD 'cause it has some of the most gorgeous music I've heard in quite a while. And I listen to a lot of music.

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