The Oud

Ahmed Mukhtar

Ahmed Mukhtar has studied oud in Iraq, Syria and the UK. Most notably, he studied under Munir Bashir in Iraq. He is now resident in the UK where he teaches and performs regularly. You can find out more information about him on his website.

Words From Eden
(Peoplesound ART 1850-CD01)

Ahmed Mukhtar is an Iraqi-born oudist resident in the UK who has studied under Munir Bashir. This CD presents a selection compositions and taqasim in his unique style, which reflects his Iraqi and Syrian influences amongst others. The CD is not available from the main online shops, but may be purchased here.

1. Maqam Hijaz 12:34
2. Words 5:03
3. Maqam Penjgah 16:04
4. Nuroose 9:56
5. Beginning of Love 6:36
6. Maqam Awj 11:37
7. Elegy to Anakhil 10:43

Ahmed Mukhtar Live

The second CD from Ahmed Mukhtar is a live recording of a concert at Rudolph Steiner House, London in 1997. The CD can be ordered direct from Ahmed Mukhtar via email. It is well worth the effort to obtain this CD, and look out for his regular live appearances in the UK.

1. Maqam Oriental Rast 6:06
2. Song - Variation 2:16
3. Dayhat 6:41
4. Maqam Hijaz Madmi 8:54
5. Maqam Asheran 9:24
6. Arabian Dance 5:36
7. Maqam Lami 8:38
8. Hewar 3:21
9. Maqam Awshar 7:40
10. Atar 10:29

Rhythms of Baghdad
(ARC Music EUCD 1781)

This recording includes a selection of traditional Iraqi melodies and rhythms, and features Ahmed Mukhtar on oud/percussion and Sattar al-Saadi on percussion. The rhythm instruments used include the dombak, riqq, khishba and tar. The CD can be ordered directly from Maqam.com.

1. Souq Baghdadi 6:06
2. Mantasf al-Lil 6:23
3. Raqsat al-Bedoi 5:25
4. Raqsat al-Shara 5:35
5. Khashabah 3:18
6. Espania 4:01
7. Baghdad al-Kadima 3:51
8. Raqsat al-Janoub 5:41
9. Nada'a al-Bahr 10:52
10. Horse Dance (tabla solo) 4:02
11. Fingers and Sambales (riqq solo) 2:57
12. Kasor (khishba solo) 1:58
13. Sufi Rhythm (tar solo) 3:37

The Road to Baghdad
(ARC Music EUCD 1937)

On this CD, Ahmed Mukhtar teams up with an ensemble of Alaa Majeed on nay, Shaker Hassan on percussion, oud and keyboards, Hassan Falih on qanun and Waseem Faris on joza. The music consists of a series of pieces composed or arranged by Ahmed, and based on various maqamat and traditional rhythms.

1. The Two Rivers 3:31
2. Childhood 3:10
3. Iraqi Cafe 5:15
4. The Road to Baghdad 3:07
5. Sufi Moments 6:54
6. Dance of War 6:03
7. After the War 3:48
8. Sama'i Baghdadi 5:28
9. Doulab Mukhtar 4:35
10. Motherly 2:59
11. Iraqi Kurdish Dance 4:05
12. Arab Marshes 2:24
13. Horizon 2:05
14. Segah 3:59
15. Moments in the Mosque 1:57
16. Taqsim Joza 2:06

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