Soundscapes of Afghanistan
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| free of charge |
| This event is a standing concert. |
| For people of all ages |
| No language skills required |
| Ground Floor, Hall 2 |
| Belongs to: Nouruz, Newroz, Nauroz |
The two Afghan master musicians Ustad Ramin Saqizada (rubab) and Ustad Feraydoon Meyazada (tabla) present an impressive programme of classical and festive music. As recognised grand masters (‘Ustad’) of their instruments, they guide the audience through the world of classical Afghan ragas – musical forms of great depth, expressiveness and spiritual intensity. The rubab, Afghanistan’s national instrument, unfolds its warm, earthy sound, while the tabla responds with rhythmic diversity, subtle nuances and virtuoso precision.
The interplay between Ustad Ramin Saqizada and Ustad Feraydoon Meyazada thrives on intense musical dialogue: melodic improvisations meet complex rhythmic cycles, quiet passages alternate with powerful crescendos. The centuries-old tradition of this music is not presented in a museum-like manner, but interpreted in a lively and contemporary way.
The programme is complemented by cheerful, lively songs traditionally sung during the New Year festival of Nowruz. This music represents new beginnings, hope and community, bringing a festive, life-affirming atmosphere to the hall. With danceable rhythms and radiant melodies, the musicians celebrate the cultural diversity of the Hindu Kush.
SHAWOM SADQA LABE KHANDANE TO # Rubab By Ramin Saqizada & Tabla By Fridoon Hashimi
Participants
Ramin Saqizada was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and comes from a musical family. His grandfathers were renowned singers and ghazal singers in Afghanistan. At the age of 10, Ramin began learning rubab under the guidance of his father, Ustad Din Mohammad Saqi. He also learned singing from his uncle and took music lessons from the sarod virtuoso Ustad Irfan Muhammad Khan. He was then accepted into the ‘Ganda’ by the sitar master Pandit Abhishek Adhikary of Senia Maihar Gharana.
Ramin Saqizada, one of the best rubab players of our time, has also been working as a rubab teacher at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) of the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for seven years. His performances testify to his great melodic skill.
He has performed several times before Afghan Presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and has given international performances at festivals and concerts in countries such as Tanzania, Argentina, Turkmenistan, India, Germany and Uzbekistan. Particularly noteworthy are his performances at the renowned Sharq Taronalari Festival in Samarkand and the Mokam Festival in Uzbekistan.
Ustad Feraydoon Meyazada was born into a musical family in 1978 in the traditional music district of Koche Kharabat in Kabul. At an early age, he began to learn the art of tabla playing under the guidance of the renowned master musician Ustad Arif Pari Paikar through oral tradition.
With over 30 years of experience, Meyazada is now one of Afghanistan’s most recognised and respected tabla players and also enjoys a high international reputation. For eight years, he was a lecturer at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, where he trained numerous students and had a lasting influence on them.
In addition to his teaching activities, Meyazada is an expressive and passionate musician. He has performed at numerous concerts at home and abroad, thrilling his audiences with his precise, powerful and at the same time sensitive playing. As a valued former member of the Safar Ensemble, his tabla playing gained great recognition and contributed significantly to the international visibility of Afghan music.