To listen click on links under each CD cover
Al- Hambra a new release
________Ahmed Mukhtar couldn’t help but feel at home as he strolled through Granada’s
Alhambra Palace. The geometric patterns embedded in the architecture, the
fragrance of blooming flowers and gentle murmurs of fountains reminded him of
the Mustansiriyah Palace in Baghdad, the Al-Azm Palace in Damascus and the
Muhammad Ali Palace in Cairo— all testament to the lasting influence of Islamic rule.
The name Andalusia itself originates from the Arabic term ألاَن ْدَل ُس) Al-Andalus),
referring to the Muslim-ruled lands of southern Spain between 711 and 1492.
Unlike previous conquests, the arrival of the Moors was not met with outright
resistance by the local population. This was due to the fact the Moors fostered a
system of Convivencia—a coexistence in which multiple cultures thrived under a
structure of limited self-rule. By the 10th century, Córdoba in particular had risen
to dazzling heights under the rule of Emir Abd Al-Rahman III. The city had become
a hub of knowledge, art and scientific progress, rivalling Baghdad. From the
awe-inspiring Mezquita of Córdoba to Granada’s Alhambra and Seville’s Real
Alcázar, the Moor’s architectural legacy endures throughout Andalusia, despite the
fall of Muslim rule in the 15th Century.
This deep-rooted connection between the two cultures inspired Ahmed Mukhtar
to explore further—but from a perspective he knew best: music. So began a
project that would span many years, as he sought to uncover the expressive
qualities shared by the flamenco guitar and the Middle Eastern oud. With the
Moorish invasion, new instruments such as the daf, qanun and oud were slowly
introduced to Spanish music, and while these traditional Arabic instruments are
not typically used in modern flamenco, their influence remains evident. Scholars
widely believe, for example, that the flamenco guitar evolved from the oud, with
the gradual addition of frets over time. And, despite differences in construction and
tuning, both instruments serve as essential rhythmic and melodic companions in
their respective musical tradition_________________________________________________________
Visions of Iraq
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Music from Iraq
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Babylonian Fingers
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The Road to Baghdad
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Music from Iraq – rhythms of Baghdad
