Ashwaaq | Trumpet Taqasim

This creation brings the voice into dialogue with a string quartet, exploring the microtonal resonances of maqâm and the possibilities of a polyphony rooted in Arab musical traditions. ElSaffar imagines a sonic space where melodies answer one another, transform, and reveal another way of inhabiting music: through listening, boldness, and nuance.An Iraqi-American multi-instrumentalist based in New York, ElSaffar has developed a singular body of work at the crossroads of Iraqi maqâm, contemporary jazz, and Western classical music. Syrian singer Khaled Al-Hafez joins him with his warm voice and an interpretive style that blends rigor and grace, weaving a fascinating moment of celebration in which poetic and musical traditions meet beyond cultural and disciplinary boundaries.