"Hope and New Beginnings"
6:30 pm CDT "Doors Open"
6:40 pm CDT pre-concert talk with Rahim AlHaj and Professor Philip V. Bohlman
Rahim AlHaj, who is widely considered one of the greatest living virtuosos of his ancient instrument, has garnered international renown since landing in the United States in 2000. A refugee of the Gulf War and an outspoken political activist, his music shares stories from his native Iraq, including his own, and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the unity of humanity in the face of opposition. An accomplished performer and composer of music for oud and mixed ensembles including string quartet, orchestra, and percussion, AlHaj has collaborated with such varied musicians as guitarist Bill Frisell, accordionist Guy Klucevsek, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, contemporary string ensemble Kronos Quartet, and indie-rock pioneers REM.
AlHaj delivers a program of music for solo oud on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 pm CDT (8:00 pm EDT) via concert stream on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. “Doors open” at 6:30 pm CDT.
Sponsored by UChicago Presents, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and the Arab American National Museum, with promotional support from WFMT.
