WORLD MUSIC FROM LEBANON


Beirut, the 4th of April, 2007
Forward Music is proud to announce:

The BBC'ss World Music Awards Jury has declared

Ghada Shbeir the Winner

of the 2007 competition

for the "Al Muwashahat" CD.

For the Planet Award &

the Middle East / North Africa Region



Producer's statement:

This is a wonderful landmark in the revival of authentic Arabic Music and the oral cultural heritage of the Arab World. "Al Muwashahat" is the result of the combined efforts of many participants namely: Ghada Shbeir, Charbel Rouhana, Forward Music, talented musicians and visionary graphic artists.
This is a great unifying moment for Lebanon. In a time when division and dissent are prevailing in the country, the cultural industry is thriving and reaching new summits in the international arena. It is the commitment of all the participants in the Al Muwashahat project and their desire to present a genuine image of our cultural heritage that won the competition [Natasha Atlas (Egypt-UK), Yasmina Levy (Israel), Les Boukakes (Algeria)].

On this occasion Forward Music is pleased to present Ghada Shbeir in concert at the UNESCO Hall on Sunday the 15th of April 2007 at 8:30 pm. She will be accompanied by Charbel Rouhana who will lead the band and by Ali Khatib (percussions), Samir Siblini (Nay), Tony Khalife (Violin), Abboud Saadi (Bass), Iman Homsy (Kanoun), Elie Khoury (Bouzok).

Tickets on sale at all Virgin Megastores Branches.

Forward Music is also pleased to announce that Ghada Shbeir , Charbel Rouhana and the band will also participate in the BBC's concert (LIVE Broadcast) at the Barbican Hall in London on the 27th of May 2007. The Audience Award will be announced during this concert.


The Al Muwashahat

This concert and this recording are the fruits of a convergence between Forward music, great musicians and a fascinating singer, whose goal was to go back into the past, and bring this music to life in its integrity. A series of extraordinary musical sessions occurred during the recording of this CD. We were immersed in a state of exaltation re-living that golden era in Arab history, when humanism, music and the arts prevailed.

The Anthropology of Arabic music has not yet uncovered all the secrets behind the origins and development of the Muwashah. But with the little we know, we're very lucky that these Muwashahs were passed on to us.

This Concert and this CD represent the quintessence of the Muwashah. Care for details and complete reproduction of suites, without any new composition of preludes, interludes or finales; make of this work an authentic product of Tarab.

To those who're not familiar with Tarab, we invite you to discover the meaning of this word in music. And to those who are already familiar with this genre, we're quite sure that you will find in this CD all the ecstasy proper to this style.


Charbel Rouhana's Statement:

I would like to congratulate all those who participated in the making of the CD Al Muwashahat starting with Ghada Shbeir whose talent and interpretation was foremost in getting the BBC's Award. I am particularly pleased with the album because we as musicians have transcended the written musical annotations and have created the right mood necessary for a recording of this class in which the human experience is evident. I would also like to thank my friend Ghazi Abdel Baki whose confidence in the project was a driving force for us since day one in a time where most producers would shy away from projects such as this one.

I would most certainly like to thank the unknown soldiers, those who composed and interpreted the Muwashahat, without them we would not be here today.

I am glad we are all participating in the joy that this Award brings in a time when we most certainly need it in Lebanon. What brings more satisfaction to me is that we achieved this recording without any expectations ,and here we are, I hope this award contributes in making the Muwashahat more widespread among audiences worldwide.

I earnestly hope this award will constitute an important milestone in Ghada Shbeir's career as well as all those who participated in the work.


Ghada Shbeir's statement:

I dedicate this Award to my country Lebanon.

When I started recording those Muwashahat people thought It was very adventurous and risky because it is a musical form no longer in vogue. Today I am very happy that the BBC's World Music Awards and two other awards from the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo vindicate this work.

I have chosen the Muwashahat because it is an authentic form in Arabic music that is now almost extinct. What we hear today is mostly a simplified form that has no relation to our rich musical heritage. I hope to continue my musical journey with the exploration of the many aspects of Arabic Music such as the "Dawr" and the Mawal.

I would like to thank the Lebanese Ministry of Culture and Forward Music that has believed in the project since the beginning and has produced, packaged and distributed the CD. I would also like to thank all the musicians who participated in the CD and who contributed to its success, namely Charbel Rouhana. I would also like to thank the University of the Holy Spirit – Kaslik that has put at my disposition the archive of Arabic Music from which I have selected the Muwashahat. Last but not least I would like to thank the press for being here today and for always supporting cultural works.

Participants:

Ghada Shbeir (Vocals,Transcription Research),Charbel Rouhana Oud (Arabic Luth,Transcription Musical Director), Ali El Khatib Rik (Arabic Percussions), Samir Siblini Nay (Arabic Pan Flute), Tony Khalifeh Violin, Abboud Saadi Acoustic Bass, Iman Homsy Kanoun


Forward Music: Producers
Recorded Mixed & Mastered at Forward Productions Studios- Beirut-Lebanon

Contact info: Ghazi Abdel Baki Tel/Fax:+961.1.803436 / +961.3.707222
email: ghazi@fwdprod.com - web:www.fwdprod.com