Doha, Qatar: As part of its 'Heart to Heart' series, Qatar Foundation (QF) will host a musical evening titled 'The Arab Prince of Violin: 60 Years After Sammi Shawwa' in January 31.
The evening will be hosted by Kuwaiti musician and researcher Dr. Ahmed Al Salhi, alongside musician, composer, researcher, ad oud player Dr. Mustafa Said, founder of the Asil Ensemble, with the participation of Bilal Bitar, a qanun player specializing in the authentic traditions of the Arabic maqam.
Taking place at the Black Box Theatre in Multaqa (Education City Student Center), the event celebrates one of the most influential figures in Arab music, Sammi Shawwa. A musician whose impact continues to resonate with generations of music lovers, Shawwa mastered the many dialects of the Arabic maqam - from the Atlantic to the Gulf - and extended his mastery to maqam traditions from non-Arab musical cultures.
The evening will also be accompanied by a workshop organised by QF's Herfah program, held prior to the performance and titled 'Outdoor Structure Geometry'. In this workshop, participants will build geometric structures that deepen their understanding of the forms, spaces, and proportions used in Islamic art and architecture.
Following the musical performance, audiences will be invited to attend an interactive discussion session with the musicians, organised by QF's BilAraby initiative.
'Heart to Heart' will continue its celebration of authentic musical maqam over the coming months. In March, the series will feature 'Maqamat of the Ottoman Court with Fikret Karakaya,' followed in April by 'A Journey Through Maqam with Mohammed Antar.'
