Awatef Abdel Karim
Encyclopedia
Awatef Abdel Karim is an Egypt
ian composer of contemporary classical music
. Karim is the first Egyptian
female composer
to formally study music composition. She has composed for piano
, violin
, choir
, and orchestra
, and has also written music for children.
In 1991 she succeeded Gamal Abdel-Rahim
as chairman of the composition and conducting department of the Cairo Conservatoire
, serving in that position until 1997. A revised edition of her book, Music Appreciation of Nineteenth Century Music was published in 2005 in Cairo
. She was awarded the State Merit Award in June 2006. Her notable students include Ahmed El-Saedi, Ali Osman
, and Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah
.
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...
ian composer of contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
. Karim is the first Egyptian
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
female composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
to formally study music composition. She has composed for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and has also written music for children.
In 1991 she succeeded Gamal Abdel-Rahim
Gamal Abdel-Rahim
Gamal Abdel-Rahim , was an Egyptian classical music composer, educator, and pianist. His best-known work is the symphony Osiris.-Life and career:...
as chairman of the composition and conducting department of the Cairo Conservatoire
Cairo Conservatoire
The Cairo Conservatoire is the primary music conservatory in Egypt. It was established in 1959 and is located in the same building complex as the Cinema Institute and the Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts, Haram, Giza, Greater Cairo, while the Cairo Symphony Orchestra is based at Cairo Opera...
, serving in that position until 1997. A revised edition of her book, Music Appreciation of Nineteenth Century Music was published in 2005 in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
. She was awarded the State Merit Award in June 2006. Her notable students include Ahmed El-Saedi, Ali Osman
Ali Osman (composer)
Ali Osman is a Sudanese composer of contemporary classical music. He has lived in Egypt since 1978 and been active in Egypt's contemporary music scene. He also plays the guitar, drum kit, and double bass....
, and Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah
Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah
Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah is an Egyptian composer of contemporary classical music and educator. He is a member of Egypt's third generation of classical composers.-Biography:...
.