Syrian-born ud player, singer and composer Nawras Altaky combines influences from various classical traditions in his work, both those of the West and those of modal or maqam music. But he links influences from jazz and pop to his music just as easily. In this podcast he tells about his work, and also about his plans as city composer of Utrecht for Composer’s Day 2025 (21 juni 2025) .
A series of podcasts with portraits of makers, composers and musicians in the Netherlands, based on their ‘desert island discs’ – the pieces of music they want the whole world to hear, and which play an important role in their work and lives.
In addition to this podcast, you can listen to the complementary radio programme Music Makers, which airs every Thursday at 12.00, to hear the interviewed composers’ favourite music.
All episodes of our podcast are also available on your favourite podcast app.
Playlist
- Field recording (from YT)
Trad: Mahboub, traditional Druzen song and dance from As Swuyda, South Syria
5’00” - Field recording (from YT)
Trad: Wedding song from the heritage of Suwayda
2’12” - recording VPRO Vrije Geluiden / Music Meeting All Ears
Nawras Altaky, arr. Oene van Geel: Autumn Nights
Dyar & guests
Dyar:
Nawras Altaky – vocals, ud
Lucas Dols – double bass
Ghaeth Almaghoot – clarinet
Modar Salama – percussion
Guests:
Marieke de Bruijn – violin
Oene van Geel – viola
Annie Tångberg – cello
Matthias Konrad – trombone
6’35” - CD Aghany Film Mamnoaa El Hob, pt 1
Mohammed Abdel Wahab: Ya Mesafer Wahdak
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
7’22” - own recording (from YT)
Trad: El Helwa Di
Sayed Darwish
1’16” - single El Helwa Di-Live
Trad, arr. Nawras Altaky: El Helwa Di
Dyar
10’05” - recording Bimhuis TV
Nawras Altaky: Damascus By Night
Nawras Altaky Septet:
Nawras Altaky oud/vocals/composition/arrangement
Oene Van Geel – Cello & Trombone
Teis Semey – Viola & Guitar
Marianne Noordink – Ney & Flute
Kinan Abuakel – Buzuk
Remy Dielemans – Bass
Udo Demant – Percussion
13’32” - own recording Nawras Altaky
Nawras Altaky: Hidden Maktub (live at Bimhuis)
Nawras Altaky Septet
6’58” - recording MazzikaTV (from YT)
Mohamed El Qasabgy, tekst Ahmed Ramy: Feen El Eyoun
Umm Kulthum
6’38” - own recording Nawras Altaky / Amman Jazz Fest
Nawras Altaky: Tigris Passage
MaDaBa quartet:
Nawras Altaky – vocals & ud (SYR)
Tony Roe – piano & electronics (NL)
Sjahin During – Afro Anatolian percussion (TR/NL)
Qusai Sroor – Ney ( JO )
3’09” - recording VPRO Vrije Geluiden / Music Meeting 2021
Nawras Altaky: Sukkar
Dyar & Guests:
Dyar: Nawras Altaky – vocals, ud, Lucas Dols – double bass, Ghaeth Almaghoot – clarinet, Modar Salama – percussion
Guests: Marieke de Bruijn – violin, Oene van Geel – viola, Annie Tångberg – cello, Matthias Konrad – trombone
9’16” - recording Bimhuis TV (from YT)
Nawras Altaky: Arise! Journey of Resilience
Nawras Altaky Septet
Nawras Altaky oud/vocals, Oene Van Geel viola/trombone, Teis Semey guitar, Marianne Noordink ney/flute, Kinan Abuakel buzuk, Remy Dielemans double bass, Udo Demandt percussion
12’40”
