Established in 2021, Cambridge Takht & The Pomegranates is a vibrant and dynamic Arabic music ensemble based in Cambridge. Comprised of talented musicians from diverse backgrounds and countries, the group brings together a unique blend of traditional and folkloric Arabic music with contemporary influences. Beyond their musical endeavours, the ensemble is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange in Cambridge. They actively participate in workshops, and collaborations with other local musicians, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arabic music and culture.

Lineup:

Singers: Narjes Abouda, Engy Samuel, Marwa Mahmoud, Youmna Hussein, Wiaam Hassani

Oud: Youssef Sidhom

Violin: Mohamed Emad

Piano: Emad Sidhom

Double Bass: Aida Moreno

Darbuka: Pete Jackson-Main

Riq: Omar Madani

Duholla : Hanna Hawa

Daf: Valentina Ciniglio

Special Guests:

Nandini Jaykumar Nandini is an innovative young dancer and choreographer in the Bharatanatyam art form and is known for her strong technique, nuanced expressions and commanding stage presence. Hailed as a rising star by the press, she performed in prestigious festivals and venues both in India and globally.

Cambridge Nahoft is an enchanting Persian music group , blending talent and tradition in a truly dynamic way. We'll be welcoming Salman Abdi (Ney) and Alireza Tabatabaie(vocals) on stage as we present our own rendition of a beautiful Rumi spiritual poem in Persian. Rumi's poetry holds a significant place in Persian spirituality and has a big influence on Arab culture as well.

Songs

Beredak - برضاك

Scale: Maqam Hijaz

"Biridhak Ya Khaliki" (With Your Contentment, O My Creator) is one of the religious songs performed in 1945 by the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum(1898-1975). It was written by Bayram al-Tunisi(1893-1961) and composed by Zakaria Ahmed(1896-1961). The melody is in Maqam Hijaz which invokes the feelings of longing and spirituality and is associated with the Islamic call to prayer “Adhan”.

Photo of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum(1898-1975)

‘Al Tar’et ‘Eto (عَالْ تَارْعَيكْ) ( ܥܰܠ ܬܰܪ̈ܥܰܝܟܝ ܥܺܕ̄ܬܳܐ)

Scale: Maqam Bayati

"Al Taryek Ito" is a well-known Syriac chant that translates to "At Your Gate" or "By Your Door." It is a powerful and moving melody that has been sung for centuries in Syriac Christian communities around the world. Syriac is a dialect the ancient Aramaic language, vital to early Christianity.

Syriac New Testament lectionary

Theme from Sourp Sourp (Holy Holy) (Սուրբ Սուրբ) (سورب سورب)

Scale: Maqam Ajam

It is a beloved piece in Armenian religious music, often sung during church services and special occasions by composer Makar Yekmalyan (1856-1905)

Je Nai Nan (جي ناي)

Scale: Maqam Ajam

Coptic chant from the Egyptian church sang in Greek, Coptic and Arabic languages.This hymn is the congregation's response to the litany of mercy in the Coptic liturgy attributed to St Gregory the Theologos, which is possibly of Syriac origin. It was first mentioned in the Paris manuscript (1716 CE) of the Euchologion of St Macarius in Greek. The Coptic and Arabic translations were mentioned in the manuscript of the book of the three liturgies by Raphael El-Tukhi c.1736 CE.

Coptic language is the latest stage of the Egyptian language, which evolved from earlier forms like hieroglyphic, hieratic, and demotic.

Coptic Egyptian was superseded by Arabic as the vernacular language of Egypt. This 17th-century bilingual collection of Christian exhortative texts features both languages in parallel columns. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Public Domain

Amano Morio (ܥܰܡܰܢ ܗ̱ܽܘ̣ ܡܳܪܝܳܐ) (عمانو موريو)

Scale: Maqam Bayati

Amano Morio is a traditional hymn of the Syriac Maronite liturgy that is prominent in nowadays Lebanon and translates to “The Lord is with us”. The lyrics of the hymn recite verses from the book of psalms, and the beatitudes of the new testament.

Syriac Maronite Icon from 10th centurey

Bahartanatyam Indian Dance

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance of spiritual influence that originated in southern India and dates back to over 2000 years ago 🇮🇳. In our concert exploring spiritual music from the Arab world, we experiment with uniting the expressive and intricate movements of Bharatanatyam dance with soulful spiritual Arabic music promising a unique experience

Mokadema Mohajjar

Scale: Maqam Rast

This is an original piece composed by Mohamed Emad (Violin) for the occasion of this performance and utilised the 14/4 Mohajjar rhythm which is widely used in classical Arabic music.

Khsou’

Scale: Maqam Rast

The title translates to Reverence. This piece is composed by Ammar El Sherei (16 April 1948 – 7 December 2012), a groundbreaking Egyptian composer known for his captivating soundtracks and masterful command of Arabic music.

Intro from Al qalb ye’shak kol gameel

Maqam Bayati

Music introduction from Um Kulthoum’s song Al Qalb Ye’shak (The heart adores all the beauty). This is composed by one of the icons of Arabic music Riad Al Sunbati (1906 – 1981)

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance of spiritual influence that originated in southern India and dates back to over 2000 years ago . In our concert exploring spiritual music from the Arab world, we experiment with uniting the expressive and intricate movements of Bharatanatyam dance with soulful spiritual Arabic music promising a unique experience

Talama Ashkou Gharamy (طالما أشكو غرامي)

Scale: Maqam Nahawand

"Talama Ashku Gharami" is a deeply emotional Islamic poem/nasheed expressing intense love and longing for the Prophet Muhammad. It focuses on themes of spiritual yearning, admiration for the Prophet's qualities, and the desire for closeness to him.The poem is attributed to Syrian poet Shyakh Abdul Hadi Al Wafa'i (1834-1910). The melody is based on the very famous Byzantine melody known in Greek as “Apo Xeno Topo” and in Turkish as “Eskidara” and has many versions in the region.

This is an example of the common practice of using secular or folk melodies for spiritual lyrics.

Arabic transcription of Talama Ashkou poem

Wrapped in Love (در عاشقی پیچیده ام)

Scale: Maqam Hijaz

“Wrapped in Love” is a collaboration between Cambridge Nahoft and Cambridge Takht, performed with ney, violin, contrabass, and vocals. It is an interpretation of the Dastan Ensemble’s 1998 performance, based on a poem by the renowned 13th-century mystic Persian poet - Rumi - in the Homayun mode which is equivalent to Maqam Hijaz from the Arabic music.

English translation of the poem:

This time, I have completely immersed myself in love,

This time, I have torn myself away from all comfort.

I have cast my heart aside and live with something else,

I have burned my reason, my heart, and my thoughts to their very roots.

Step into my eyes, and look through my gaze,

For beyond sight itself, I have chosen a dwelling place.

Renowed Persian poet Jalal al-Dīn Muhammad Rumi

Shefa al rauch (שפל רוח)

Scale: Maqam Bayati

One of the shortest and most famous poems by Arab Jewish Philosopher Shlomo Ibn Gabirol (1021-1058), also known as Sulayman Ibn Gabirol (Arabic) or Avicebron (Latin) who was born in Málaga, Spain. He lived during the flourishing age of Jewish culture in the Muslim-ruled Andalusia (present-day southern Spain). His most important work was the "Fons Vitae" ("The Fountain of Life") philosphy book which he wrote in Arabic but only the Latin translation survived and had a big influence on the european medival philosophy.

The poem is sung in Sephardic communities during the Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) morning prayer, and in some communities, such as Iraq and Morocco, throughout the year, usually to a different tune than the Rosh Hashanah tune. The poem describes the sense of the futility and lowliness of transient man in the face of the Creator of the world. The melody is an Iraqi traditional one although it's worth noting that it highly resembles the famous Iraqi song Um Al Ouyoun Al Sood by Iraqi singer Nazem al-Ghazali and the melody is attributed to Nazim Naeem.

Ibn Gabirol, statue in Málaga, Spain.

Fasting Psalm (مزمور الصوم الكبير)

Psalm 150 is a psalm that the Coptic Orthodox Church sings at the end of the mass during communion. The melody and responses change throughout the Coptic year according to the event celebrated by the Coptic church. We will sing the tune of the Great Lent as the Coptic church is currently observing it. The Great Lent is considered the holiest fast in the Coptic church as it follows the example set by Jesus Christ, who fasted on behalf of humanity forty days and forty nights. We will sing it in Coptic and Arabic.

Pattern from walls of a Coptic Church in Egypt

Tala’ al badru (طلع البدر علينا)

Maqam Sika

طلع البدر علينا (The Full Moon Rose Upon Us) is a traditional Islamic song (Nasheed) believed to have been sung by the people of Medina to welcome the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) upon his arrival from Mecca during the Hijrah (migration) in the 7th century. The event of the migration marks the starting year of the "Hijri" Lunar calendar.

The song's lyrics celebrate his coming as a source of light, guidance, and hope, comparing him to a full moon rising over the valley of Wada’. Since the song comes from an era where oral tradition was the main way of preserving melodies and poetry, no single author or composer is credited.

Shabab Al Marghani (شباب الميرغني)

Scale: Egyptian Pentatonic scale

A traditional chant from the Marghani Sufi method that is popular in Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Nubian Egypt. The lyrics are attributed to the Sufi leader Mohamed Othman Al-Marghani Al-Khatm(1793-1852) who was born near Mecca in nowadays Saudi Arabia and was the founder of the Marghani Sufi method.

Nubian people from south of Egypt singing and playing Daf (Frame drum)

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