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MESTO
Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra Presents
The Spring Concert
Saturday, 20 March 2004
at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
P
r o g r a m
Longa
Kurdelli Hicazkar: by Sebuh-Azzam
The longa form originated in Turkey and has spread throughout the Middle
East. Written by the Turkish composer Sebuh, this longa is often performed
by `ud and qanun virtuosi in Turkey and the Arab World. Nabil Azzam
has added melodic and rhythmic themes throughout the composition, thus
becoming entitled to add his name to the composer's.
Sama'i
Kurd: by Joseph Chamaa
The sama'i musical form originated in Turkey and has spread throughout
the Middle East. Kurd is the Arabic or Turkish name for the Phrygian
mode. Composing a sama'i requires strict adherence to the recognized
structure. The form is characterized by a 10/8 rhythm in the first three
sequences typically followed by a fourth sequence of a different rhythm.
The second and third sequences typically include modulations to other
modes (maqamat). The repeated refrain remains in the 10/8 rhythm. Count
along!
Americana:
by Stephen Foster--arr. Miamon Miller-Bob Applebaum
Americana revisits music that emanates from our 19th century heritage.
Bob Applebaum and Miamon Miller respectively have arranged two Stephen
Foster favorites: "Hard Times Come Again No More" and the
well-known "Beautiful Dreamer" (the last song Foster composed)
in a manner that illustrates their timelessness and musical flexibility.
In the third section, Miamon rearranges and recomposes the folk tune
"Devil's Dream" and a quasi-Arabic version of "Old Joe
Clark" utilizing a theme and variation form.
Dan
Ulduzu (Star of Dawn): by Mohammad Omranifar
This is the world premier of the Tar virtuoso Mohammad Omranifar's composition
for Tar and orchestra. Originally in three movements, the first and
third will be performed this evening. This composition is written in
Mogham Chahargah in the key of C. In Azeri music, there are seven different
scales called Moghams and each Mogham contains many branches called
Gooshe(s).
Gao
San Qing (The Green High Mountain): Solo 'Ud by Fahd Shaaban
This composition is one of the most well known pieces of Taiwanese folkloric
repertoire. As in numerous Chinese-Taiwanese numbers, the title of this
piece was inspired by nature. One can easily recognize the musical scale
of the Far East employed in this music. This arrangement is faithful
in its sonority and tone quality characteristic of this style. The piece
features the Middle Eastern Ud, played by Fahd Shaaban in the composition's
style with an introductory Taksim (improvisation) and short solos within
the piece.
The
Carnival of Venice: Solo Kanun by Lilit Khojayan
Composed by Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840). Tonight's performance is arranged
for MESTO by Shelly Cohen. The fast and complicated passages require
a high degree of instrumental technique. Composed as variations for
the violin, performing this composition on a kanun will demonstrate
Lilit Khojayan's virtuosity on this instrument.
Operatic
Song: performed by Anna-Suzette
Anne-Suzette, in her first performance with MESTO will sing Adele's
"Laughing Song" from "Die Fledermaus" by Johann
Strauss, the most loved operetta by the Waltz king. Anna-Suzette is
a true rising star. We will hear her high and sophisticated vocal capabilities
demonstrated in this song.
Drumacato:
by Nabil Azzam
This composition is exclusively for string instruments that are plucked
rather than only bowed. The first section features pizzicato technique
by the all the strings. The second section is a dialogue between celli
and all the strings playing in pizzicato. The third section is a deviation
from what is expected since Azzam has entrusted the melody to the double
bass while the strings are all used as percussion instruments. In the
last measure, the percussion and wind sections participate in a grand
finale.
Egyptian
Song: performed by Star Singer Hamid
Tonight, our star singer Hamid will perform three songs that have become
a permanent part of Egyptian vocal repertoire because of the extraordinary
voice and long-lasting, widespread popularity of Abdal-Halim Hafez (1929-1977).
The first one is Awwil Marra Thibb Ya Albi - My First Love. Lyrics by
Isma'il al-Habruk and music by Munir Murad. Hafez's popularity in Egypt
and throughout the Arab World was often compared to Elvis Presley in
America. The romantic, dark and handsome star soloist, nicknamed Al-Andaleeb
Al-Asmar (the dark nightingale) became an integral part of Arab music
legacy.
Zorba
the Greek: With guest Bouzouki player Gregory Boyadian
Arranged for MESTO by Shelly Cohen
The score captures the essence of the movie "Zorba the Greek"
which was adapted from a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis and propelled its
composer, Mikis Theodorakis, into international prominence.
INTERMISSION
Memory:
performed by Anna-Suzette
Who would have thought you could write a musical based on the lives
of "CATS"? Well, Andrew Lloyd Webber did, and what a success
it continues to be. The show opened on Broadway in 1982 and to this
day is in production somewhere around the world. The song "Memory"
is perhaps the most well known number from the show and surely will
evoke a memory or two from any audience that hears it. Listen and think
"CATS". You will love it.
The
Crescent: by Nabil Azzam
This is the world premier of his 1998 composition, intended as a wedding
march with an Indian theme. The composition is characterized by a lyrical
and romantic melody. There are four distinctive themes. Nabil Azzam
composed "The Crescent" for violin with an introduction on
the buzuq (long neck lute) and a drone on the Indian tamboura with a
variety of percussion instruments including tablah, udu, riqq and cymbals.
Lasta
Qalbi (Not My Heart): performed by Hamid
Lyrics by Kamil al-Shinnawi and music by Muhammad `Abd al-Wahhab.
An enduring, emotional song that is still reverberating from the early
seventies. Its demanding orchestration and sophisticated solo vocal
line make it hard to perform. Our star singer Hamid is one of very few
in the Arab world who can perform it at this level of musical accuracy.
Khusara
Khusara (What a Loss) : performed by Hamid
Lyrics by Mamoun al-Shinnawi and music by Baligh Hamdi.
This was one of the very first songs that Abdel Halim
sang at the beginning of his career. It was also one
of the very first songs B. Hamdi composed for the young
singer. Many of the audience will recognize the melody
since it was sampled by an American Rapper. We will
have the chance to hear it from Hamid in a style almost
identical to the original.

Star Singer Hamid

Tar Virtuoso Mohammad Omranifar

(left to right) Tar Virtuoso Omranifar, Concertmistress
Leola Wagner,
Singer Anna-Suzette and Maestro Nabil Azzam

Qanun Virtuoso Lilit Khojayan plays Paganini

Rising Star Anna-Suzette

Anna-Suzette and Maestro Nabil Azzam

MESTO

MESTO at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center