Viola d'Amore / Jasser Haj Youssef / La Médina

[basidiomycet]

Actually, the great French music historian Fetis believed the Viola d'amore was originally an "Eastern" instrument, deriving it from the sarangi/dilruba. The latter (or rather their models) in turn were however introduced to India by Muslim court musicians. The instrument became a favourite with Ottoman composers/music scholars under the name sine kemân. In their hands it was used for infinitely more refined music than Vivaldi and such early death metal composers ever dreamt of.

[omoshiroidayo]

although it sounds nice its really odd because tihs instrument is THE baroque instr. itself....

[Jpmcke]

Nice.

~

[Bingo1059]

The Viola D'amore is such a baroque instrument that this doesn't even make much sense. It sounds nice, but knowing what it is doesn't make sense. It's probably stranger for me on a personal level (I'm half egyption and half sicilian, and lets just say I don't very much like my egyptian half!) . Comme Ci Comme Ca (I'm not bothering putting in the accent marks...)

[violinjuggler]

@Bingo1059 Yes, it is a baroque instrument but this music still existed during the baroque period and was probably played on this instrument during it's peak. It is also thought that the viol d'amore has strong middle-eastern heritage, so really this isn't that improbable. Yes, it is *the baroque instrument* but it isn't hard to imagine the instrument being introduced to some musician in the middle east by a wealthy European traveler.

[SirGlennGould]

It summons the memories of my ancestors walking across the desert.

A place I have never seen and yet it feels so close.

[noalevin]

! You r a real treasure Jasser! Shukran ya chabibi!! You made my morning shine! You both did! Sigue bessandonos con tu cannal, con esta hermosa musica..que lo hecho mucho de menos. Sigue bessandonos.. I'm In! and will send it all over con bessos..y habrazos.. a mis amores Namaste!

[Davinp123]

what kind of instroment is that?

[awsomedrummer100]

@Davinp123 its on the title. it's a viola d'amore

[TheJbach]

Music goes back a very long, long time, sirs. And so does the string instrument.

[TheAdel777]

Nice :) 

[assa123assa123]

тоже мне индус.. чурки уже совсем охуели

[GaleoDeus]

WOW. Passionate. Sensitive. Moving. This is almost too awesome for words.

I LOVE the viola d'amore...I think it's one of the most beautiful western interments...I had no idea it could sound so wonderfully Arabic in the hands of a master! Crazy cool crossover.

But why the hell is he using a microphone? This instrument should have no problem filling such a small room.

[SlippinPegs]

How gorgeous!

[justincrzo]

WTF IS THIS????? A Viola D'Amore belongs to classical historical music, not fcked up Muslim music. What a disgrace to the instrument. Shame............. I apologize Vivaldi for this AWFUL usage of the instrument. May God have mercy on the instrument.

[Hikikomori013]

@justincrzo

Except that the viola d'amore is descended from older Muslim instruments, as evidenced by the Flame of Islam sound holes.

In the end, an instrument lives by reaching across all possible musical traditions to find many voices. If you lock it into a single place, it withers and dies. If it can only be used for baroque historical performances it will become as dead as the cittern and theorbo.

I agree with everyone else. It's a great performance.

[hakmetlakdar]

@justincrzo There is no such a thing as Muslim music! ... Anyone with a basic wordly education knows that Islam and music do not co-habit! ...As to profanity, it only exposes its author's nature and character ! .... Although I am not fond of Middle Eastern music, I can appreciate this man's musical skills ..

[Hikikomori013]

@hakmetlakdar

The Sufi have a strong musical tradition. The Wahabi, on the other hand, hate anything that looks like fun. It all depends on which Muslims you're talking about.

[Fabieguitar]

@justincrzo

Even on the internet we have to be polite… Chirac said : « J’ai toujours respecté les hommes qui se battaient pour d’autres idées que les miennes. » You can disagree, but respect the work. This is necessary for the debate (with real arguments; writing about God or citing Vivaldi is not an argument). There are many ways to play the music ; the « historical » way and the « fusion » way are both respectables and can coexist.

[UncleTito72]

@justincrzo You must be a moron. The violin for example, what most people consider a classical and western instrument, actually descended directly from the rabab, a bowed mid eastern instrument. The viola d'amore, as people have stated here, clearly has eastern and Muslim influences. Before insulting people with your ignorance go do a little research and get the facts.

[bckm54]

FINALLY! Someone playing something OTHER than that damned Vivaldi concerto! :) VERY GOOD!! :)

[ahmadjawadi]

Fantastic playing, really you are fantastic musician, the sound of Viola Damor looks like Yayli Tanbur a bit, I love this idea so much.

Ahmad Al-Jawadi

[chemicalxizzy]

Music.

Life.

Love.

[cheahthegreat]

Good job! Keep on playing.

[hansfredknauer]

It's great,fantastic a hero.

Greetings from Berlin