Kinan Azmeh: Difference between revisions
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==Life and career== |
==Life and career== |
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Born in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]] in 1976,<ref name="incognito">[http://www.incognito.com.lb/store/node/235 Incognito] page on Azmeh</ref> Azmeh began to play the clarinet at age six. Originally taking lessons in the [[violin]], he switched to an even-handed instrument that left-handed players did not play too differently from right-handed players.<ref name="FW">[http://www.fw-magazine.com/content/kinan-azmeh-i-am-living-example-whatthis-country-has-offer Interview with Azmeh]</ref> Azmeh studied at the Arab conservatory of music in Damascus. At the [[University of Damascus]], he double-majored in [[electrical engineering]] and music.<ref name="epochtimes">[http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/8-6-8/71470.html Epoch Times] article</ref> Azmeh received his Masters degree and graduate diploma in music from the [[Juilliard School]] in [[New York City]]. In 1997, Azmeh was the first Arab musician to win first prize in the [[Nicolay Rubinstein International Youth competition]] in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]].<ref name="incognito"/> |
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Hailed as a “virtuoso” and "Intensely Soulful" by the New York Times and “engagingly flamboyant” by the L.A. Times, and "Incredibly Rich Sound" by the CBC, Kinan Azmeh is one of Syria’s rising stars. His utterly distinctive sound across different musical genres is now fast gaining international recognition. |
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He is one of the five members of the band [[Hewar]], which formed in 2003. This band, whose name means "[[dialogue]]" in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], is entirely made up of musicians from Syria.<ref name="hewar">[http://www.kinanazmeh.com/hewarmusic.htm Hewar], on Azmeh's personal website</ref><ref name="npr">[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101547802 Kinan Azmeh: A Syrian Frequent Flier With Clarinet in Hand.] NPR, 7 March 2009.</ref> On his website, Azmeh describes Hewar as "an attempt to transcend the barriers of cultural disparities and misconceptions, and establish a civilized communication which builds on what brings humans closer together rather than separates them."<ref name="hewar"/> He claims that Hewar's music draws from a variety of influences, from both the [[Arabic music|Arab world]] and the [[Western culture|West]].<ref name="hewar"/> In addition, Azmeh plays with the New York City-based [[City Band]] and with the band [[Neolexica]].<ref name="sequenza">[http://www.sequenza21.com/2010/08/be-here-now-kinan-azmeh-and-dinuk-wijeratne-down-san-francisco-way/ Be Here Now - Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne Down San Francisco Way.] Sequenza, 16 August 2010.</ref> As a student at Juillard, Azmeh co-founded Neolexica with pianist [[Dinuk Wijeratne]].<ref name="sequenza"/> |
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Born in Damascus, Kinan was the first Arab to win the premier prize at the 1997 Nicolai Rubinstein International Competition, Moscow. A graduate of New York's Juilliard school as a student of Charles Neidich, and of both the Damascus High institute of Music where he studied with Shukry Sahwki, Nicolay Viovanof and Anatoly Moratof, and Damascus University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Kinan is currently finishing his doctoral work in music at the City University of New York. |
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In 2009, Azmeh played at the [[Arabesque Festival]] at the [[Kennedy Center]] in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref name="npr"/> He has also played with the [[Syrian National Symphony Orchestra]], debuting a clarinet concerto written especially for him by [[Zaid Jabri]] at the opening of the [[Damascus Opera House]].<ref name="sequenza"/> In addition, he has played with [[Daniel Barenboim]]'s [[West-Eastern Divan Orchestra]].<ref name="sequenza"/> |
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Kinan has appeared worldwide as a soloist, composer and improviser. Notable appearances include: Opera Bastille, Paris; Tchaikovsky Grand Hall, Moscow; Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the UN's general assembly, New York; the Royal Albert hall, London; Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires; der Philharmonie; Berlin; the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, Washington DC; the Mozarteum, Salzburg and the Damascus opera house for its opening concert in his native Syria. |
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He has appeared as soloist with the Bavarian radio orchestra, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the NDR big-band, the Kiev Camerata, the Knights Orchestra, the Izmir State Opera Orchestra, the Corasara Orchestra, the Osnabruck Symphony, the Morgenland Festival Orchestra, the Qatar Philharmonic , the New Juilliard Ensemble and the Syrian Symphony Orchestra among others.; and has shared the stage with Marcel Khalife, Daniel Barenboim, Jivan Gasparian, Zakir Hussein Francois Rabbath, Simon Shaheen, Solhi-al-Wadi, Calefax Reed Quintet, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. |
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Azmeh is currently based in [[New York City]], where he is pursuing his [[Ph.D.]] at the [[City University of New York]] with [[Charles Neidich]].<ref name="azmehbio">[http://www.kinanazmeh.com/bio.htm Biography of Kinan Azmeh]</ref> He regularly travels to Damascus, where he plays in a Syrian chamber group and gives concerts and workshops.<ref name="npr"/><ref name="sequenza"/> |
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His compositions include several works for solo, orchestra, and chamber music; film, live illustration, and electronics. His discography include three albums with his ensemble HEWAR, several soundtracks for film and dance, a duo album with pianist Dinuk Wijeratne and a recent album with his New York Arabic/Jazz quartet. He serves as artistic director of the Damascus Festival Chamber Music Ensemble, with whom he released an album of new contemporary Syrian chamber music written especially for the ensemble by various composers and is also a frequent guest faculty at the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music and is on the advisory board of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra |
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==Albums== |
==Albums== |
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Revision as of 08:43, 9 September 2012
Kinan Azmeh | |
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| Issam Rafea and Kinan al-Azmeh during a concert in Kyoto in 2008 Issam Rafea and Kinan al-Azmeh during a concert in Kyoto in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | June 10, 1976 Damascus, Syria |
| Genres | Jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Clarinet |
Kinan Azmeh (born June 10, 1976 in Damascus) is a Syrian clarinet player.
Life and career
Born in Damascus, Syria in 1976,[1] Azmeh began to play the clarinet at age six. Originally taking lessons in the violin, he switched to an even-handed instrument that left-handed players did not play too differently from right-handed players.[2] Azmeh studied at the Arab conservatory of music in Damascus. At the University of Damascus, he double-majored in electrical engineering and music.[3] Azmeh received his Masters degree and graduate diploma in music from the Juilliard School in New York City. In 1997, Azmeh was the first Arab musician to win first prize in the Nicolay Rubinstein International Youth competition in Moscow, Russia.[1]
He is one of the five members of the band Hewar, which formed in 2003. This band, whose name means "dialogue" in Arabic, is entirely made up of musicians from Syria.[4][5] On his website, Azmeh describes Hewar as "an attempt to transcend the barriers of cultural disparities and misconceptions, and establish a civilized communication which builds on what brings humans closer together rather than separates them."[4] He claims that Hewar's music draws from a variety of influences, from both the Arab world and the West.[4] In addition, Azmeh plays with the New York City-based City Band and with the band Neolexica.[6] As a student at Juillard, Azmeh co-founded Neolexica with pianist Dinuk Wijeratne.[6]
In 2009, Azmeh played at the Arabesque Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.[5] He has also played with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, debuting a clarinet concerto written especially for him by Zaid Jabri at the opening of the Damascus Opera House.[6] In addition, he has played with Daniel Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.[6]
Azmeh is currently based in New York City, where he is pursuing his Ph.D. at the City University of New York with Charles Neidich.[7] He regularly travels to Damascus, where he plays in a Syrian chamber group and gives concerts and workshops.[5][6]
Albums
With Hewar
- Hewar (2005)
- 9 Days of Solitude: The Damascus Session (2006)
- Letters to a homeland (2012)
With the Azmeh-Wijeratne Duo
With the Kinan Azmeh Quartet
- Elastic City (2012)
OST
- Rigodon (2007)
With Kulna Sawa
- Kulna Sawa (2001)
- Musaique (2004)
References
- ^ a b Incognito page on Azmeh
- ^ Interview with Azmeh
- ^ Epoch Times article
- ^ a b c Hewar, on Azmeh's personal website
- ^ a b c Kinan Azmeh: A Syrian Frequent Flier With Clarinet in Hand. NPR, 7 March 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Be Here Now - Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne Down San Francisco Way. Sequenza, 16 August 2010.
- ^ Biography of Kinan Azmeh