Ensemble Nagham

Ensemble Nagham

The Nagham Ensemble perform famous pieces by the Arab singer Oum Kalthoum and many other well known twentieth-century Arab singers from Egypt and the Levant. 

Oum Kalthoum (1904–1975) is considered one of the most influential musicians in the Arab world of the twentieth century. With her songs she revolutionized the music history of the Middle East. Her legendary works are still beloved in the Arab countries and proof of the unifying power of music. Monthly Thursday evening live broadcasts from Radio Cairo brought her music to cafes from Marrakesh to Damascus. Her concerts have delighted people for over half a century and even after her death in 1975, she has continued to live on in people’s hearts. 

Our show “Traces of Egypt: Homage to Oum Kalthoum” offers insights into her art as well as its historical and cultural background. The impetus for the quintet’s founding was a summer 2018 project in which four of the musicians participated. The „NRWedding Orchester for Middle Eastern Music,“ founded by artists living in NRW and in Berlin, premiered under the title “DIVA: Celebrating Oum Kalthoum the music of the singer.” The large production with newly arranged pieces began in Dortmund and Düsseldorf in September with great enthusiasm. This success encouraged Maren Lueg and four musicians from Syria to compile their experiences into a small production in order to perform songs by the world-famous singer and to shed light on her significance, influence and great popularity. The appealing format of “Homage to Oum Kalthoum” alternates music with commentary. Song texts are translated to bring them closer to the non-Arabic speaking audience. The artists already had careers before they immigrated to Germany and are well-known in Syria and beyond.