Oud Duet - Traditional Iraqi Music DVD 2003 / Omar Bashir, Munir Bashir / Recorded in Budapest 1995 / Munir Bashir International Foundation 2003 / BRDVD001

UPC 5203785250041

MADE IN HUNGARY

REGION 2 PAL DVD

AUDIO: Spanish 5.1, HUNGARIAN 5.1

TOTAL RUNTIME: 54 MINUTES

English Summary:

The originality of the two Ouds of Munir and Omar Bashir in these recordings lies in the marriage between classical-style improvisation (taqsim} and popular music, in — which the two expressions are sometimes smoothly linked together and sometimes merge or alternate without discordance. Therein lies, not only the art of respecting the oral tradition, but also that of creativeness based on innovation. What we have here are traditional themes and rhythms from Iraq and from the near East in all its diversity.

Such is the success of the musical heritage of "urban songs" (baladi), some of the best-known examples of which are presented here on the oud by Munir and Omar Bashir, along with variations on them, illustrating [the] Bashirs’ wonderful creative skill.

Prof. Simon JARGY 

Tracklist / Song list:

1. Maqam rast and Iraqi Pesta

2. Shuruq

3. Maqam Hijazakar

4. Um al roba

5. Pesta from Iraq

6. Al-Andalus

7. Love and peace

Munir Bashir, the King of Oud (Arabic: منير بشير‎, Syriac: ܡܘܢܝܪ ܒܫܝܪ‎) (1930 – September 28, 1997) was an Iraqi Assyrian musician and one of the most famous musicians in the Middle East during the 20th century and was considered to be the supreme master of the Arab maqamat scale system.

He created different styles of the Arabian Oud. He was one of the first middle eastern instrumentalists known to Europe and the United States. Bashir's music is distinguished by a novel style of improvisation that reflects his study of Indian and European tonal art in addition to oriental forms. Born in Iraq, he had to deal with numerous disruptions of violent coup attempts and multiple wars that the country went through. He would eventually exile to Europe and first became notable in Hungary.