Sabah Fakhri
Encyclopedia
Sabah Fakhri (born 1933): is an iconic Arabic traditional singer from Aleppo
, Syria
.
Over the past 50 years of fame and popularity as a singer, Mr. Sabah Fakhri modified and popularized the then-fading form of traditional Arabic music, Muwashahat and Koodood Halabiya. He is well known for his exceptionally strong vocals, impeccable execution of Maqamat
and harmony
, as well as charismatic performances. He has numerous admirers around the world, and an excellent performer of authentic Arabic Tarab.
Fakhri was born Sabah Abu Qaws in Aleppo, Syria in 1933, and enrolled in the Academy of Arabic Music of Aleppo, then later in the Academy of Damascus, from which he graduated in 1948. He was given the stage name Fakhri by his mentor, Syrian nationalist leader Fakhri al-Barudi, who encouraged him as a young boy to stay in Syria and not travel to Italy. One of the earliest performances for Fakhri was in 1948 at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, before President Shukri al-Quwatli and Prime Minister Jamil Mardam Bey
. Unlike many Arab artists, he never studied or worked in Cairo, insisting that his fame is linked to his origins, as a Syrian Arab.
He soon became famous all over the Arab World, performing in many Arab countries and capitals as well as receiving honors over the years for his work in maintaining the popularity of traditional Arabic music. Sabah Fakhri is also one of the very few Arabic singers to receive widespread popularity and perform concerts worldwide (including Europe, Asia, The Americas, and Australia). His name is enshrined in the Guinness Book of Records for his prowess in Caracas
, Venezuela
where he sang continuously for 10 hours without pause.
He was a member of the Syrian parliament for a period of time as a representative of artists.
Fakhri was awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree by the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad
in recognition of his achievements in serving and his role in reviving the artistic heritage in Syria.http://www.sana.org/eng/21/2007/02/12/102187.htm
Sabah Fakhri's son Anas Abu Qaws (born in 1976) has recently been active in the art scene, as a singer trying to create a style that mixes both tradition and modernity. He started as a rock singer and classical opera singer and is now preparing to launch his debut CD, "Jamal al-Roh" (Beauty of the Soul). Fakhri Senior has always stood up for his youngest son, saying, "When Anas decides to sing traditional Arabic music, nobody around can challenge him. I know how I raised him, on a solid musical base!"
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
Over the past 50 years of fame and popularity as a singer, Mr. Sabah Fakhri modified and popularized the then-fading form of traditional Arabic music, Muwashahat and Koodood Halabiya. He is well known for his exceptionally strong vocals, impeccable execution of Maqamat
Maqamat
Maquamat may have the following meanings.*Plural for Magam*Plural for Maqama*Maqamat Badi' az-Zaman al-Hamadhani, Arabic collection of stories*Maqamat al-Hariri, Arabic collection of stories...
and harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
, as well as charismatic performances. He has numerous admirers around the world, and an excellent performer of authentic Arabic Tarab.
Fakhri was born Sabah Abu Qaws in Aleppo, Syria in 1933, and enrolled in the Academy of Arabic Music of Aleppo, then later in the Academy of Damascus, from which he graduated in 1948. He was given the stage name Fakhri by his mentor, Syrian nationalist leader Fakhri al-Barudi, who encouraged him as a young boy to stay in Syria and not travel to Italy. One of the earliest performances for Fakhri was in 1948 at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, before President Shukri al-Quwatli and Prime Minister Jamil Mardam Bey
Jamil Mardam Bey
Jamil Mardam Bey ,, was a Syrian politician, Born in Damascus to a prominent aristocratic Sunni Muslim family. He is descended from Ottoman's general, statesman, and Grand Vizier Lala Kara Mustafa Pasha...
. Unlike many Arab artists, he never studied or worked in Cairo, insisting that his fame is linked to his origins, as a Syrian Arab.
He soon became famous all over the Arab World, performing in many Arab countries and capitals as well as receiving honors over the years for his work in maintaining the popularity of traditional Arabic music. Sabah Fakhri is also one of the very few Arabic singers to receive widespread popularity and perform concerts worldwide (including Europe, Asia, The Americas, and Australia). His name is enshrined in the Guinness Book of Records for his prowess in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
where he sang continuously for 10 hours without pause.
He was a member of the Syrian parliament for a period of time as a representative of artists.
Fakhri was awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree by the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
in recognition of his achievements in serving and his role in reviving the artistic heritage in Syria.http://www.sana.org/eng/21/2007/02/12/102187.htm
Sabah Fakhri's son Anas Abu Qaws (born in 1976) has recently been active in the art scene, as a singer trying to create a style that mixes both tradition and modernity. He started as a rock singer and classical opera singer and is now preparing to launch his debut CD, "Jamal al-Roh" (Beauty of the Soul). Fakhri Senior has always stood up for his youngest son, saying, "When Anas decides to sing traditional Arabic music, nobody around can challenge him. I know how I raised him, on a solid musical base!"