The upcoming European premiere of my Ramal for orchestra will take place on 8/17 at the prestigious Lucerne Festival in Switzerland with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Barenboim. The festival published this interview here.
Review of the Buenos Aires world premiere of Ramal for orchestra
A review of the world premiere of my Ramal for orchestra which was performed by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and conducted by Daniel Barenboim. The link to the article (in Spanish) is here.
New recording of ‘Hanjale’ for solo cello
Performed by cellist Bryan Hayslett and recorded at Futura Productions in Roslindale, MA [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/101254827[/vimeo] There is an Arabic saying أول الرقص حنجلة (Awal al-raqs hanjale) which translates to “The dance begins with a prance.” Like most such folk sayings, there are often multiple meanings attributed to them. Generally, this saying can be understood to… read more
Pew Center for the Arts Grant Award and announcement of commission
I’m very excited to share the news of a grant that from the Pew Center for the Arts awarded to Philadelphia based Al-Bustan for the Arts. The grant will include funding for two new commissions by my friend and colleague Kinan Abu-Afach and me. Details about the project that will result in new works for… read more
U.K. Premiere of Dabke for String Orchestra June 1st
To all my friends in the U.K. there will be a concert on June 1st at the Great Hall in Dartington to benefit the Shelter Box Syrian Refugee campaign. Under the direction of Oliver Butterworth the programme will include works by Britten, Elgar, the late Syrian composer Dia Succari, Scriabin and the U.K. premiere of… read more
Trailer for May In The Summer online
The French trailer for Cherien Dabis’s May In The Summer theatrical release is now online details here <http://distribution.memento-films.com/film/infos/54>. US release will be in the Summer of 2014.
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Summer Residency, tour and commissions
<http://www.west-eastern-divan.org/news/announcing-the-2014-summer-workshop-tour/>
Video of Traces piano sextet world premiere now on Vimeo
The world premiere of Traces for piano, clarinet and string quartet is now streaming on Vimeo here. The performance features Sally Pinkas – Piano, Kinan Azmeh – Clarinet, and the Apple Hill String Quartet and was recorded at Dartmouth College in November of 2013.
Review of ‘A Voice Exclaiming’ premiere with Kronos Quartet and Community MusicWorks
“Roustom’s new work, the evening’s centerpiece—an expression of hope for his Syrian birthplace in the face of appalling violence—was the most effective of the evening’s Kronos commissions, mainly, I think, because his crossing of genres, his strategy of adapting Arabic musical materials to Western forms came with a certain clarity of purpose.” Read the full… read more
Interview on NHNPR with Kinan Azmeh and Kareem Roustom
Listen to the full interview here. Clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh was born in Damascus, but now lives in New York, where he wakes up to bad news each day. One of his compositions, “A Sad Morning, Every Morning,” is dedicated to the victims of the Syrian conflict, now in its third year. Kinan will… read more
Hot Tea, Mint & Olives for SSA and piano now published
My 2007 work ‘Hot Tea, Mint & Olives’, with text by the wonderful Ibtisam Barkaat, is now available from ECS Publishing through MorningStar Music. Scores and audio are available here. This work was originally commissioned by the Boston Children’s Chorus. and fluidly combines elements of Arabic music with Western choral writing.
November 13th World Premiere of ‘Traces’
Wednesday November 13th 7 p.m. World Premiere of Traces for clarinet, piano and string quartet. With Sally Pinkas – piano, Kinan Azmeh – Clarinet and the Apple Hill String Quartet. Dartmouth College, Hanover NH Details here. Traces was co-commissioned for the Apple Hill String Quartet, clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and pianist Sally Pinkas by the Apple… read more