04:30 pm
Assala El Hamdouchi Qanun
Alaa Zouiten Oud
Dalal El Bied Violin, vocals
Anass Ouldkalbi Percussion
TRADITIONELL ANDALUSISCH · حبك القمر (en. Even the moon has fallen under your spell)
ANDALUSISCHE MUWASCHSCHAH · ريم رمتني (en. Reem cast me aside)
N. N. · يا قلبي خلي الحال (en. My heart, let things rest in their own truth)
TRADITIONELL CHAABI · العار يا العار (en. Have mercy, have mercy on me)
ANDALUSISCHE MUWASCHSCHAH · لحبيبي أرسل سلام (en. I send my greetings to my beloved)
TRADITIONELL ANDALUSISCH · أنا قد عيّا صبري (en. My patience has grown weary)
Five virtuoso Moroccan musicians have delved deep into the treasure trove of Arab-Andalusian chamber music; now, they invite the audience to a melodic journey through the North African Maghreb. In six selected works, the programme combines classic Andalusian standards with contemporary compositions that have emerged from this tradition. A repertoire that combines historical depth with a vibrant present.
Moroccan-Andalusian music originated within a shared Mediterranean cultural space and exemplifies the cultural exchange between Europe and North Africa. Its modal systems, complex rhythms and distinctive melodic structures provided an important foundation for the development of European music theory. Instruments such as the Arabic oud, the precursor to the European lute, found their way to Europe through these cultural encounters and permanently expanded its sonic spectrum.
At the heart of this concert lies a tradition whose origins are inextricably linked to Europe. In this specific ensemble, the musical sophistication of Andalusian music can be experienced as chamber music, offering a nuanced perspective on the cultural interconnections of European musical history.
Mohcine Ait Ramdan (b. 1987, Marrakesh) is a Moroccan composer, singer and guembri player living in Munich. His artistic work is at the intersection of musical practice, research and transcultural thinking. As the artistic director of the JISR ensemble, he creates programmes that combine Moroccan musical traditions with contemporary global musical languages, intentionally opening up new contexts and listening perspectives. Drawing on his musical upbringing in the Maghreb and his many years of activity in Europe, Mohcine understands music as a historically evolved yet open-ended process. His work is characterised by a precise handling of traditional forms, improvisational elements and the transparency of chamber music. Rather than focusing on stylistic fusion, he considers how musical systems can communicate with and transform each other.
Assala El Hamdouchi (b. 1997, Casablanca) is a qanun player and a graduate of the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Danse de Rabat, where she won First Prize for her main instrument. From an early age, she has performed in major Andalusian and classical productions, including national concert series, television productions and international cultural events. She specialises in Andalusian music and the classical Arabic repertoire. Assala El Hamdouchi considers her 80-stringed box zither a narrative voice that connects the past with the present, bringing a unique sonic depth to chamber music ensembles.
Alaa Zouiten (b. 1985, Casablanca) is an oud player, composer and curator. Drawing on classical Arabic and Moroccan music, he has developed a distinctive musical language blending Andalusian music, flamenco, jazz, and contemporary genres. After studying in Morocco and Germany, he has worked internationally as a soloist and ensemble leader. His projects have been presented at major festivals and concert halls across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Dalal El Bied (b. 2004, Morocco) is a violinist, singer and medical student. She received 14 years of classical training from renowned teachers in Morocco and was awarded the Ninth Year Prize in 2021/22. Concurrently, she immersed herself in the Gharnati Andalusian vocal tradition, as well as in styles such as Malhoun, Gnawa, and Neo-Chaabi. Dalal El Bied is a second violinist with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Maroc, a member of several classical and Arabic symphony orchestras, and performs regularly at international festivals. She also teaches violin and solfège at the conservatoire in Salé.
Anass Ouldkalbi (b. 1997, Marrakesh) is a percussionist with a clear artistic vision and a keen sense of rhythmic structure. Rooted in Moroccan and Oriental rhythmic traditions, he combines precise technique with musical sensitivity, viewing rhythm as an element that shapes, directs and expands musical processes.
Using instruments such as the darbouka, riq, daf, cajón and electronic percussion, Anass moves effortlessly between traditional and contemporary contexts. His stage presence is focused and reliable, shaped by his experience of concerts, festivals, television productions and educational work. This versatility makes him a musician who facilitates musical dialogue and consciously shapes sonic spaces.