CD review: Ibrahim Maalouf – Levantine Symphony No. 1 – 2018: Video

Heralded by The New York Times as a “virtuoso of the quarter-tone trumpet,” Maalouf gracefully marries musical traditions from his native Lebanon and his adopted France, blending Levantine melodies with modern jazz improvisations.

In 2016, he performed at the Lincoln Center, alongside pianist Frank Woeste, saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Clarence Penn, in an unforgettable tribute to Oum Kalthoum, the legendary Egyptian vocalist.

Performing with Maalouf this evening is the Free Spirit Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Rossi, the National Children’s Chorus, and the pianist Ji.

The New Levant Initiative commissioned Levantine Symphony N°1 to celebrate the vibrant and shared identity of the Levant. Maalouf describes this musical composition as an ode to the Levant. With his new work, Maalouf weaves together the threads that bind the people of the Levant together not only in music and poetry, but also in a shared collective identity and memory, with the hope that a progressive and integrated new Levant will thrive once again.

Label: Universal Music Distribution Deal 

01. Prelude 
02. Overture 
03. Theme 1 
04. Movement I 
05. Theme 2 
06. Movement II 
07. Movement III 
08. Theme 3 
09. Movement IV 
10. Movement V 
11. Theme 4 
12. Movement VI 
13. Theme 5 
14. Movement VII 
15. Epilogue 
16. Final 

Free regular download