The Oud

Simon Shaheen

Simon Shaheen was born in Haifa (he is of Palestinian origin) and began his studies under his father. He then moved to the USA in 1980 and began studying at the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University. He also performed all over the USA and Europe. Simon Shaheen has his own website.

Taqasim: Improvisation in Arab Music
(Lyrichord LYRCD 7374)

The renowned virtuosi Simon Shaheen (oud) and Ali Jihad Racy (buzuq) present three extended taqasim on this Lyrichord release. There are detailed notes accompanying this CD, which describe the art of the taqsim and the maqamat used in these compositions. (Ali Jihad Racy is from Lebanon, and is a graduate of the American University of Beirut. He holds a PhD in musicology from the University of Illinois and is Professor of Music at UCLA.)

1. Maqam Kurd 20:20
2. Maqam Nahawand 13:10
3. Maqam Bayyati 8:53

Saltanah
(Water Lily Acoustics WLA-ES-51-CD)

On this recording Simon Shaheen collaborates with the Indian musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on mohan vina, an instrument which derives from the guitar and is played across the lap with a slide. The music features a series of improvisations in various ragas/maqamat.

1. Dawn - Rag Kirwani / Maqam Nahawand 15:29
2. Ghazal - Rag Vasant Mukhari / Maqam Hijaz 16:09
3. Saltanah - Rag Bagashri / Maqam 'Ajam Mu'addal 8:28
4. Mists - Rag Pahari / Maqam 'Ajam 12:39
5. Dusk - Rag Bhairavi / Maqam Kurd 15:30

Turath
(Times Square Records TSQD 9025)

A tribute to some of the great masters of Middle Eastern music, featuring compositions by Tanburi Cemil Bey, Riyad al-Sunbati, Mas'ud Jamil and Ali Jihad Racy. This album is also notable for the fact that Simon Shaheen plays bass oud on some tracks.

1. Bashraf Farahfaza 5:45
2. Sama'i Farahfaza 6:31
3. Taqasim on Violin 1:32
4. Longa Farahfaza 3:14
5. Taqasim on the Beat 9:28
6. Sama'i Nahawand 8:12
7. Tahmilah Suznak 6:21
8. Sama'i Nahawand 6:25
9. Bashraf Kurd 4:16
10. Taqasim on Nay 1:13
11. Sama'i Kurd 5:51

Blue Flame
(ARK21 159 462-2)

This album features Simon Shaheen on both oud and violin, and he is accompanied by an array of famous musicians. The tracks combine more traditional Arabic melodies and rhythms with jazz and classical influences. A particular highlight is the track 'Bosphorus Scenes under the Moonlight', which was composed for Shaheen by the late Cinucen Tanrikorur.

1. Blue Flame 6:17
2. Waving Sands 5:03
3. Tea in the Sahara 4:55
4. Dance Mediterranea 6:29
5. Bosphorus Scenes under the Moonlight 6:29
6. Silk Tears 4:13
7. Fantasie for Oud & String Quartet 6:55
8. Saraab 4:37
9. Olive Harvest 4:19
10. Al-Qantara 5:27
11. Breeze in Bisaan 4:46

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