Friday, August 13, 2010

Oud master singer actor Fareed ul Atrash plays the famous introduction to the Al Rabee' (Spring)



The art of silencing (and rousing at the right moment) a crowd of enthusiastic, rowdy fans..
To watch Fareed going crazy in his crescendo towards the end of the intro is a must watch. Also towards the end of the video a unique moment where he's listening to his recording as if he was still playing without the instrument....A great moment.
Biographical note:
Farid ul Atrash( 19, 1915 – December 26, 1974) was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, virtuoso oud player, and actor.Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, Farid embarked on a highly successful career spanning more than four decades — recording 350 songs and starring in 31 movies. Sometimes referred to as 'King of the Oud', he is one of the most important figures of 20th Century Arab music.His sister is the legendary Asmahan

7 comments:

  1. Farid and his sister Asmahan who died in a car crash..I'll have to post some of her sonds. She was the greatest in her time even shadowing Umm Khulthoum. The rumor  had it that the later conspired to get her killed out of jealousy..Rubbish of course but another rumor which has firmer legs to stand on is that she was a British M16 agent..Never really verified but likely.

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  2. Aren't the Atrash a Druze clan? I believe that the Druze tended to be pro-British. My father-in-law served in the Middle East during World War 2, and told me of an incident in which a band of Druze on horseback with antiquated firearms turned up at their camp offering their services as fighting men.

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  3. Yes they are Jemmy..Fareed and his sister were born in Sweideh a druze town in Syria..

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  4. <span>Tradionally as a matter of rule, or let's say most of the time, the Druze follow the dominant faction in any conflict. This has been adopted long time ago as a strategy to ensure they'd be spared. In Israel they were the first to collaborate with the Israelis. They also serve in the IDF..But not all of them sided with the zionits. Inter clanic competition played a part in that a clan would not accept military service..
    </span>

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  5. How incredible,  it is like being possessed by the gods - to be some moved,  in the end,  carried away,  how superb

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  6. <span>How incredible,  it is like being possessed by the gods - to be so moved,  in the end,  carried away,  how superb,  shocked by what has been wrought
    </span>

    <span><span> – </span>Flag</span><span><span> </span></span><span></span><span><span> – </span>Edit</span><span><span> – </span>Moderate</span>

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  7. <span>I love that segment in the end. My favorite of the whole thing..It adds a new dimension to the performance..The expression on his face saying..This is beautiful, who's done it?
    </span>

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