Speaker: Dr. Søren Møller Sørensen, Associate professor emeritus in musicology, University of Copenhagen

Abstract: Arab music plays an important role in contemporary Western societies as an expression and mediator of Arab identity both by diasporic Arab communities and by wider audiences. Thus, it participates in the complicated negotiation of cultural identity and is often understood as a bridge to Arab culture. At the same time, it is obvious that Arab music in the West adapts to musical cultural conditions in the new home countries in different ways and to different extents. This adaptation is lamented by some as an expression of a loss of authenticity, while others celebrate it as an expression of musical acculturation and syncretism, which corresponds to the open-ended negotiations of cultural identity in contemporary culture.
As an introduction to the seminar’s discussion of this topic, Dr Søren Møller Sørensen will outline the history of Arabic music’s presence and reception in Western societies – particularly in my home country, Denmark – and position the Bilal Irshed Trio in this historical context.

Bilal Irshed is a Palestinian/ Danish oud virtuoso and music composer. He is recognised for having his unique interpretation of Middle Eastern music, as well as an elegant style of playing the oud.
Bilal Irshed’s Trio consists of Bilal Irshed on oud, Rasmus Møldrup on double bass and Sal Dibba on percussion. The Trio is a tribute to the sound of the oud, whose warm and meditative sound serves to capture the history and beauty of the Orient world.

ABOUT ASWAT
ASWAT is a series of musical meetings and performances exploring a range of musical practices in and around Egypt. Each concert is preceded by an academic presentation and offers an opportunity to look into the historical, religious, and social aspects of Egyptian music.

ASWAT is supported by CEDEJ, IFAO, and the French Institute in Egypt. It is curated by Kawkab Tawfik.