Program
Notes | Photos
MESTO
Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra Presents
The Grand Concert
Saturday, 25 October 2003 at West Los Angeles
College
P
r o g r a m
Villa
Lobos:
From the Bachianas Brasileiras No., 1 the Preludio Modinha. Dedicated
to the memory of Dr. Nabil Azzam's mother, Fairouz Azzam. Cellist Dr.
Janice Foy chose this particular movement because of the Bachian spirit
and spiritual quality of the melody heard in the Adagio portion. The
music was composed by the famous Brazilian composer Villa Lobos, written
in 1932.
Longa:
by Sebuh--arr. Azzam
This composition is a very popular one as it was composed by the Turkish
composer Sebuh. The Longa is performed by numerous 'ud and qanun virtuosi
in Turkey and the Arab World. Tonight it will be performed in a different
way. Nabil Azzam has added some themes to the actual setting in instrumentation.
Hope you enjoy the outcome.
Sama'i
Kurd: by Yaqub Tatyus--arr. Nabil Azzam
This Sama'i was the first piece to be arranged for MESTO when the orchestra
emerged in 2000. It is composed in maqam (music mode) kurd that shares
the same steps as the Western phregean mode; Spanish Flamenco music
uses the same scale. So far, in every concert MESTO performs a new Sama'i.
Nabil Azzam's daring arrangement of this genre has created an encouraging
reaction by his colleagues; thus, creating a dialogue on how to approach
traditional music when one attempts to recreate what has become "traditions"
or norms in a given music culture. MESTO has scored highly in that realm
and it is so proud of this achievement.
Ports
of Call: Main Theme by Shelly Cohen
This composition represents a "visit to some sea ports of the Mediterranean."
Mr. Shelly Cohen composed the theme that opens the composition which
is played between the different songs. The songs are: "Come to
Me" from Istanbul (Turkey); "From the Home of the Beloved"
from the Greek Islands; "Morning" from Naples (Italy) and
"Sephardic Medley" from Andalusia where people representing
different ethnicities live together in harmony.
Laura's
Theme: by Maurice Jarre--from the movie Dr. Zhivago
MESTO is privileged to have bassoonist Mr. Charlie Gould. He was in
the orchestra that recorded the original music by Maurice Jarre. Mr.
Gould tells us the following: "I played first bassoon in the MGM
orchestra for twenty years. In 1965 our orchestra recorded the music
for Dr. Zhivago with a 110 piece orchestra. It took three months working
ten hours a day. There were balalaikas, harps, a big string section,
4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 6 French Horns and double each woodwind instrument.
'Laura's Theme' is so beautiful that it was such a hit all over the
world."
Sanada
Ghalmaz: by Tofig Guliyev--For Tar and Orchestra
Mohammad Omranifar, Tar
Tofig Guliyev (1917-2000) was one of the most famous composers in Baku,
the capital city of Azerbaijan. He composed music for over thirty films.
Tar Virtuoso Mohammad Omranifar performs the song "Sanada Ghalmaz"
(This Beauty Won't Last) in an instrumental version which he opens with
an improvised cadenza.
Aziza:
by By M. `Abd al-Wahhab (Egypt, 1901-1991)
When `Abd al-Wahhab started his music career his teachers introduced
him to mainly Egyptian vocal musical genres. As for instrumental compositions,
they were mainly Turkish. `Abd al-Wahhab credited himself with composing
what he called "Egyptian instrumental music." His first piece
was "Fantasy Nahawand." Later, in 1945 he composed "Aziza"
that had an unprecedented success. This piece is still heard today all
over the Middle East. Nearly all American belly dancers include Aziza
in their dance routines.
Tutah:
By Farid el-Atrache (Syria, 1921-Egypt 1975)
Not too many composers in Egypt pay attention to "pure" instrumental
compositions. El-Atrache (who was himself and incredible singer and
`ud virtuoso) composed about sixty of these--relatively short--instrumental
compositions. Farid el-Atrache presents different rhythms and melodic
themes depicting happy moods suitable for dance. Tutah is a good example
of these instrumental works.
Novi
Sad: by Miamon Miller
Novi Sad, a multi-ethnic city in Yugoslavia, is home to Hungarians,
Slavs and Roms (Gypsies). Musically, it is influenced not only by these
populations but by other European styles, especially Romanian. This
suite featuring the mandolin and violin explores the blending of cultures
in three movements, each with its own distinct flavor: Hungarian, Serbian
and Romanian. The mandolin is a close cousin to a popular Serbian plucked
string instrument called a 'tamburica'.
A'tini
al-Nay: by Najieb Hankash
Nabil Azzam, Solo Violin
This melody is originally a song by the celebrated Lebanese-American
poet Khalil Gibran. It was recorded by star Lebanese singer Fairuz in
the 1970s and scored immediate success. The title could be translated
as "The Eternal Nay" (flute). In this performance Nabil Azzam
plays the vocal part on his violin while leading the orchestra.
Pizzicato:
by Nabil Azzam
This short composition is played by plucking the strings of bowed instruments.
This technique is called pizzicato. The first theme was composed in
Nazareth back in 1977 and had nowhere to go. A Sunday afternoon stop,
however, in Malibu Beach, CA in May 2003 gave the composer enough inspiration
to complete the piece.
Maribel:
by Nabil Azzam
Music critics often argue about a musical style and for good reason.
This composition is drawn from the same sphere where the composer hovers;
all over the place. With a semi-awareness and total submission to the
facts of life, the composer believes that no musical theme can be extremely
either authentic or exotic. It is simply an echo of what's inside. The
melody of this "happy" music was composed in May of this year
as a graduation present from the composer to the lovely young lady Dr.
Maribel Khoury, daughter of Dr. Nabil and Raghida Khoury, dear friends
of the composer.
Bilad
al-Ward ("Land of Roses"): Lyrics Michelle To'me, music
by Joseph Chamaa
Joelle Ferrando, Singer
The second work of Mr. Joseph Chamaa that MESTO has performed. This
is another example of a work that sits in the drawer of the composer
waiting for the right moment. Our singer, Ms. Joelle Ferrando is the
composer's daughter.
Raqqast
el-Hilween (Lonely with the 'Ud):
Lyrics and music by Elie Choueiry
Antoine Mansour, MD, Special Guest Star Singer
Composer, Lyricist and singer Elie Choueiry is an exceptional talent
from Lebanon. His rich biography is indicative of his musical wealth.
Our program tonight includes two of his numerous hits. Raqqast el-Hilween
which literally translates to "I made the sweet girls dance to
the strings of my `ud" (lute). But because of the conclusion of
the lyrics, it was translated as "lonely with the `ud" since
after the lover lost his beloved, he could only be consoled by the `ud!
Biktub
Ismik Ya Bladi (Precious Homeland): Lyrics and music by Elie Choueiry
Antoine Mansour, MD, Special Guest Star Singer
Biktub Ismik Ya Bladi (see translation) is one of the most famous works
of Mr. Choueiry. It is composed in the maqam (mode) of Rast. This maqam
signifies seriousness and dignity among other qualities. Both songs
use what are called "red notes" by MESTO; that is, three-quarter
tone notes included in the original maqamat Rast and Hijaz. MESTO players
are trained to play these intervals which are not found in Western classical
music.
Khatarna
`ala Balak (why did you remember me, oh love?):Music by Rafiq Hubeika.
Arr. Nabil Azzam.
Antoine Mansour, MD, Special Guest Star Singer
This is one of the most famous songs of star singer Tony Hanna of Lebanon.
Its wider range requires a strong voice and a high level of vocal technique.
Dr. Mansour is one of the few people who can do justice to this song.
Mr. Tony Hanna often asks Dr. Mansour to sing it for private occasions
and at church sponsored events.
*
Special Thanks to our cellists Dr. J. Foy; L. Belding; C. Cavella; S.
Beane and Bassist John Graves for their kind performance with MESTO.
