Electronic Music Festival to Feature Modern Interpretations of Sayed Darwish
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
The "Sababit" electronic music festival in Kfar Saba will feature "The Electronic Journey of Sayed Darwish," blending traditional Arabic music with electronic sounds. The event honors composer Sayed Darwish and his connection to Baron Felix de Menashe, a patron of his early concerts. The performance by Radio Baghdad and DJ Vic aims to offer a contemporary interpretation of Darwish's influential work. Festival organizers highlighted the artistic challenges and rewards of fusing diverse musical styles.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The "Sababit" electronic music festival in Kfar Saba will feature a fusion of traditional and electronic music.
- The centerpiece event, "The Electronic Journey of Sayed Darwish," reinterprets the works of the influential Egyptian composer.
- The festival connects Darwish's music to Baron Felix de Menashe, a historical patron of his early concerts.
- Radio Baghdad and DJ Vic will perform live, combining traditional instruments with electronic production by Amir Peri.
- Organizers aim to showcase the diverse styles and depth of electronic music.
- The project involved integrating Darwish's complex compositions with modern electronic elements.
A new electronic music festival, "Sababit," will take place in Kfar Saba, Israel, featuring a unique fusion of traditional instruments and electronic music. The festival's centerpiece is "The Electronic Journey of Sayed Darwish," an event that will present contemporary interpretations of the works of the influential Egyptian composer Sayed Darwish (1892-1923), considered a father of modern Arabic music. The performance will combine the ensemble Radio Baghdad and DJ Vic, with musical production by Amir Peri, live performances blending traditional instruments with electronic sounds.
The festival's artistic director and producer, Assaf Lev, explained that the event was specifically created for the Baron de Menashe Garden in Kfar Saba. Lev discovered that Darwish's first concert was held in Alexandria's theater, a venue patronized by Baron Felix de Menashe, a Jewish banker and leader of the city's Jewish community. Over a century ago, the Baron hosted musical salons in his home, inviting intellectuals and musicians, including a young Darwish, who was exposed to Western musical structures and harmonies.
Darwish's innovative work, which merged Arabic and Ottoman musical traditions with Western influences, significantly impacted subsequent generations of Arabic music, influencing artists like Umm Kulthum and Fairuz. The festival aims to "renew Darwish" by integrating his complex compositions with electronic music. "Electronic music is not just trance; it's a wide spectrum of styles and colors," Lev stated, emphasizing the goal of providing the audience with an artistic taste of deep content from the world of electronic music.
Amir Peri described the project as a personal discovery of the nuances within Arabic music, noting the intricate and emotional nature of Darwish's Egyptian compositions. He highlighted the challenges of integrating Darwish's high-pitched melodies with electronic basslines and adapting live instrument entrances to the DJ's beat, ultimately finding the collaborative process rewarding.
Mentioned
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
