Issam Rafea

Description

Chair of the Arabic Music Department at High Institute of Music in Damascus and the principal conductor of Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music from 2003- 2013. In Syria, Rafea has been an active composer and arranger for TV and Theater since the 90s.

In March of 2013 Rafea was invited to the United State to direct the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at Northern Illinois University School of Music.
Visiting Teacher/Artist in the Department of Music for 2017 Spring Term at Carleton college in North field, Minnesota.

Work Sample

Oud is a middle eastern music instrument back to 5000 years ago considered to be the king of the instrument due to its unique and deep sound and later became a grandpa for most plucked instrument such as the guitar, lute, and so many around the globe! My work focused on improvisation that every performance will be different and never the same just on the spot with audience to experience and explore the sound in depth through many many Arabic scales/maqamat that makes the journey unforgettable.

This is my duo with pipa master Gao Hong.
http://www.chinesepipa.com/Issam_Gao.html

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=267461675000963&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing

This track dedicated to my dad. Improv on Rast maqam/scale.

Improvisation as an idea is something to be present with all of your experience you had in the past that will continue now and in the future and the ability of being a learner every second in your life.

History

I have been playing for decades now and had the pleasure to share the stage with many elite musicians during that time and still trying to get to share more and more to spreading the joy and to get to know other cultures too and learn.

Artistic Vision

Music can bring all happiness, peacefulness and eventually towards your own world of creativity.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

Workshops in many topics related to music in general with the great flavor of middle eastern music.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Improvisation is one of the most important skills should musicians have generally speaking and specifically in our region this skill is something you have to master it.