It’s no secret that recent years have left us a bit trapped travel-wise, though I think we can all agree that music has provided a safe haven with teleportation powers that break these mental – and geographical – borders. Though experiencing the vast culture of the Arabian region seems like a distant dream, the Arabic Music Days celebrate melodies of the region across five days at the stunning Pierre Boulez Saal. Here, the first days of March and spring’s song are gracefully ushered in the 360 elliptical concert hall by architect Frank Gehry.
Allowing us to merge with sound and Arab melody, the program simultaneously commemorates the hall’s fifth anniversary since its opening in 2017. Curated by Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma, the line up consists of five musical performances; Shamma himself performs the oud, an ancient arabic pear-shaped stringed instrument he’s been mastering since the age of 12 on the program’s fourth day. The opening by Trio Abozekrys includes the Saz, Oud and Percussion; Maqamat Trio adds vocals, the Djoza and piano; the Ney – a flute that’s one of the oldest instruments still used, features in Hani Al Badri Trio’s performance “Teryola“. The program concludes with the Gharbi Twins Trio, who play a mesmerising blend of the Qanun, Violin and Oud. It doesn’t end there: the days are complemented by a digital online exhibition of Iraqi visual artist Jaber Alwan and a streaming of “Benzine” by Tunisian director Sarra Abidi. If you’re a lover of poetry, an exclusive video work of Oman’s Saif al-Rahbi reading his creations is not to be missed. A perfect warm up for a sunny spring or trip abroad? We think so.
Text: Rosie Gilmour / Photos: Jaber Alwan, Monika Rittershaus & Gharbi Twins / Credit: Pierre Boulez Saal
Arabic Music Days at Pierre Boulez Saal, Französische Str.33d, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
01.03–05.03.2022, Tickets can be found on the website’s event here.
@boulezsaal
