The Oud

Farhan Sabbagh

Farhan Sabbagh was born in Syria in 1948, and he first became acquainted with music through Sufi brotherhoods. He took up the oud and became a student at the Institute of Instrumental Techniques in Damascus. In 1972, he was to become director of the same Institute. He lectured and performed throughout the Arab world and Europe, and wrote a doctoral dissertation in West Berlin, where he settled. He has a website.

Le Oud (Concert au Schloss Charlottenbourg - Berlin)
(Club du Disque Arabe AAA047)

This is a live recording of works performed in Germany by the Syrian oud virtuoso Farhan Sabbagh. As well as a number of beautiful taqasim and other traditional compositions, the CD features Sabbagh performing a number of medieval lute pieces on a specially made instrument.

1. Samai Bayati 5:00
2. Taqsim Bayati 6:06
3. Taqsim Kourdi 15:44
4. Mouwachah Nahawend 5:51
5. Taqsim Nahawend 13:38
6. Mouwachah Ya Ghazalen 6:42
7. Luth Medieval 9:01

Arabic and Chinese Music
(Philmultic CD002)

This CD presents a collaboration between Farhan Sabbagh and the Chinese pipa and gu-zheng player, Liu Fang. The pieces of music are either solo compositions for each instrument or a combination of oud/pipa or oud/gu-zheng with percussion. The CD can be purchased here.

1. Maulbronn (oud, pipa and percussion) 12:47
2. Al Ud al Andalusi (oud solo) 6:46
3. Dragon Boat Festival (pipa solo) 4:50
4. Homs (oud, pipa and percussion) 9:30
5. Shepherd Maid (pipa and oud) 3:14
6. L'o Vol Bene (oud and pipa) 1:45
7. Jasmine Flower (zheng and oud) 6:22
8. Bonfire Night (pipa and percussion) 5:11
9. Song of Tie-Ma (zheng solo) 6:17
10. Spring on Tianshan Mountain (pipa and percussion) 3:16

TOP BACK HOME