Abdalla El-Masri
Encyclopedia
El-Masri, Abdalla Hani (b. 1962, Beirut
) is a Lebanese
Russia
n composer, now resident in Kuwait
, of mostly orchestral and chamber works that have been performed in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
El-Masri studied guitar with Isaac Escaf at a music school in Hammana
from 1977–79 and studied guitar and music theory with Joseph Ashkhanyan at the Centre Culturel Espagnol in Beirut from 1979-82. He then studied composition with Konstantin Batashov and Roman Ledenyov, harmony with Yuri Kholopov
and orchestration with Nikolai Rakov
at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory
in Moscow
from 1982–93, where he earned his MFA in 1991 and DMus in 1993.
Among his honors is an honorable mention in the young composers competition of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (1988). He has been an active member of the Russian Composers Union since 1998. His music has been performed in Egypt
, France
, Germany
, Kuwait, Lebanon, Russia, and Switzerland
.
El-Masri is also active in other positions. He founded the vocal ensemble Al-Jabal in 1977 and wrote songs for it from 1977-82. Later he founded the vocal ensemble Al-Wilada in 1984, which performed in Germany and Russia, and disbanded in 1990. In addition, he has written the books Practical Course of Orchestration (1995, Kuwait Higher Institute of Music) and Instruments of the Orchestra (2001, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Beirut).
As a guitarist, he worked with the vocal ensemble Al-Mayadin (directed by Marcel Khalife
) from 1977–82 and also arranged music for this group. He was also active as a guitarist in various ensembles in Lebanon from 1979–82 and toured Europe and the USA in 1982. He has taught composition at both the Kuwait Higher Institute of Music in Kuwait City
and PAAET Kuwait since 1994. He has also lectured in Kuwait and Russia.
In addition to the works listed below, El-Masri has composed much stage music.
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
) is a Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n composer, now resident in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, of mostly orchestral and chamber works that have been performed in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
El-Masri studied guitar with Isaac Escaf at a music school in Hammana
Hammana
Hammana is a town in Lebanon, about 26 km East of Beirut. Hammana sits at an altitude of 1200m above sea-level. It is in the Mount Lebanon Governorate in the district of Baabda. Nearby are the towns of Falougha, Chbaniyeh and Mdeyrig.Hammana has multiple water sources...
from 1977–79 and studied guitar and music theory with Joseph Ashkhanyan at the Centre Culturel Espagnol in Beirut from 1979-82. He then studied composition with Konstantin Batashov and Roman Ledenyov, harmony with Yuri Kholopov
Yuri Kholopov
Yuri Nikolaevich Kholopov was a famous Russian musicologist, music theorist, doctor of arts, and professor of the Moscow Conservatoire.-Biography:...
and orchestration with Nikolai Rakov
Nikolai Rakov
Nikolai Petrovich Rakov was a Soviet composer.-Life:...
at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
from 1982–93, where he earned his MFA in 1991 and DMus in 1993.
Among his honors is an honorable mention in the young composers competition of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (1988). He has been an active member of the Russian Composers Union since 1998. His music has been performed in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Kuwait, Lebanon, Russia, and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
El-Masri is also active in other positions. He founded the vocal ensemble Al-Jabal in 1977 and wrote songs for it from 1977-82. Later he founded the vocal ensemble Al-Wilada in 1984, which performed in Germany and Russia, and disbanded in 1990. In addition, he has written the books Practical Course of Orchestration (1995, Kuwait Higher Institute of Music) and Instruments of the Orchestra (2001, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Beirut).
As a guitarist, he worked with the vocal ensemble Al-Mayadin (directed by Marcel Khalife
Marcel Khalife
Marcel Khalife is a Lebanese composer, singer and oud player. From 1970 to 1975, he taught at the conservatory in Beirut. In 1976, he created Al Mayadeen Ensemble and became famous all over the world for songs like Ummi , Rita w'al-Bunduqiya and Jawaz al-Safar , based on Mahmoud Darwish's...
) from 1977–82 and also arranged music for this group. He was also active as a guitarist in various ensembles in Lebanon from 1979–82 and toured Europe and the USA in 1982. He has taught composition at both the Kuwait Higher Institute of Music in Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
and PAAET Kuwait since 1994. He has also lectured in Kuwait and Russia.
In addition to the works listed below, El-Masri has composed much stage music.
Orchestral
- Samaii, nay, riqq, string orchestra, 1983-86 (section of In Arabic Mood II; may be performed separately);
- Symphony No. 1, 1991;
- Symphony No. 2, small orchestra, 1994;
- Violin Concerto, 2001;
- Piano Concerto, 2003;
- "Matar" for mezzo-soprano and orchestra ,2010;
- Oud Concerto, 2011
Chamber music
- Sonata, violin, piano, 1985; String Quartet, 1985–86;
- Quintet, clarinet, harp, violin, viola, cello, 1986;
- Suite, flute, piano, 1986;
- In Arabic Mood I, 1986-87 (each of its four sections may be performed separately: [1] flute, clarinet, bassoon; [2] string quartet; [3] oboe, violin, cello, piano; [4] 2 trumpets, 2 trombones); Three Moods, E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bass clarinet, basset horn, 1988; Elegy, violin, cello, piano, 1989;
- Guitar Quartet, 4 guitars, 1996
Choral
- In Arabic Mood II (vocalise), 1983-86 (each of its two sections may be performed separately: [1] Samaii, nay, riqq, string orchestra; [2] small mixed chorus, string orchestra)
Vocal
- Poème (text by Paul Shaul), baritone, cello, piano, 1987;
- "Matar" for mezzo-soprano and orchestra ,2010;