Nizar Rohana is a Palestinian ud player and composer based in The Netherlands, distinguished for combining virtuosity within fresh contemporary compositions while maintaining the ud’s authentic language. In his podcast for Gaudeamus, he unravels the relationship between improvisation and composition in taqsim (Arabic improvised music), focusing on temporal aspects of taqsim and on the historical inventions by ud pioneers like Munir Bashir.

Full list of musical fragments played in the podcast:

1. Riyad al-Sunbaṭi, taqsim hijaz
2. Simon Shaheen, Taqasim on the Beat 
3. Nizar Rohana, taqsim nahawand
4. Salih Abd al-Hai, mawwal: adhak men al-fum 
5. Muhammad al-Qasabji, taqsim nahawand
6. Muhammad al-Qasabji, taqsim bayati
7. Riyad al-Sunbati, taqsim nahawand
8. Munir Bashir, taqasim nahawand kabir
9. Nizar Rohana, Mufradat Nahawand

Production: Soundtreks / Michiel van de Weerthof
Curator: Jonás Bisquert

www.gaudeamus.nl

Taqsim journey: appreciating temporal aspects in ‘Ud improvisation

The way we listen to music is highly determined by our predominant musical exposure during our youth. Tuning system, rhythm, form, timbre, ornaments, are all unconsciously assimilated, shaping how we will pay attention when listening.
 
The adult ear misses many of the subtleties of radically new musical input. Whether that is flamenco, opera, Carnatic music, Javanese gamelan, spectralism: the first times we really listen, our attention is reluctant to engage. 
 
For curious ears this is an attractive challenge. Their intuition tells them: there must be something precious behind that first layer of sound I can barely follow.
What’s more: listening skills are contagious! That day you witnessed your friend crying with an opera aria; or attended a wedding where everybody clapped and danced flamenco; or joined an Arabic concert where most of the public would sigh in a thrill at certain turns of the voice.
 
The podcast series Curious Ears, initiated by Dutch international festival Gaudeamus Muziekweek, explores how experienced listeners can convey their sensorial background, passion and joy to a new listener. 
Let’s get technical, but personal; cognitive, yet intuitive. A friend is sharing their musical intimacy with us. Enjoy.

Taqsim journey: appreciating temporal aspects in ‘Ud improvisation

Gaudeamus | Podcast Curious Ears