Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR: MONIQUE WESTON

The world premiere of Akhnaten: Dweller in Truth is a stirring experience for those of us who usually experience classical music as a distinctly set genre, tied to the past. This brilliant modern concerto was composed by 26-year-old Mohammed Fairouz -- described by Opera Today as “one of the most sought-after composers of the young generation.” The full concert, presented by the Foundation for Modern Music (in collaboration with the Consulate General of Egypt and the Egyptian American Society), also featured an onstage interview between Fairouz and St. John Flynn (of Classical 91.7FM), offering unique insight on Fairouz’s background and inspiration.

Born and raised in New York City, Fairouz has traveled worldwide and passionately explored diverse musical traditions, learning to play the didgeridoo in Australia and the oud in Lebanon, as well as studying in Paris and London.  One of Fairouz’s earliest memories is of reading a children’s book in which a character sings a song: to Fairouz, the melody was as evident as if it had been notated in the text. Much of Fairouz’s work has been based on poetry; he comments that he has “learned so much from the poets.”

Fairouz’s love affair with text – and with voice – is reiterated in the concerto Akhnaten,: Dweller in Truth, based on the novel of the same name. The characters in the novel speak through the music, presenting a complex and often conflicting interaction among the instruments – setting an atmosphere in which the moments of accord are extraordinarily peaceful and, at times, epiphanic.

From childhood on, Fairouz developed a passion for improvisation, leading to a series of improvisatory concerts that he delivered across the Middle East during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During this concert, the performers showed a remarkably conversational relationship, evidently fostered by the improvisational quality of the pieces. It was easy to see that they truly enjoyed the experience. The soloists were clearly inspired and passionate, especially cellist Adaiha MacAdam-Somer. During the onstage interview, Fairouz commented that Mozart, to his contemporaries, was known as an improviser, a pianist, and a composer – in that order. He added that Mozart’s renown now takes the reverse order, because now we have the luxury of recording performances, including this concert with all its unique characteristics.

Fairouz reminisced that one of his poet-teachers had advised him that he would be “burdened to create things that are timely, but the challenge [would] be to create things that are timeless.” Fairouz cited the work of Benjamin Britten as an example, saying that it had been timely as to its historical setting, and we “still perform it because it’s so beautiful.”

The concert programme included Akhnaten, Dweller in Truth, a concerto for cello, piano and orchestra; the double concerto States of Fantasy, along with Chorale Fantasy (string quartet); For Victims (baritone and string quartet), and The Poet Declares His Renown (baritone and string quartet). Performers included Paul Boyd (piano), Adaiha MacAdam-Somer (cellist), Batya MacAdam-Somer (violin), Marcus DeLoach (baritone), and an orchestra with guest conductor Clifton Evans.    

For more information on Fairouz's music and shows CLICK HERE