The entire music in the universe was originally derived from the intonation and melodies of the Quranic verses. With those words, revered Egyptian violinist and composer Abdo Dagher began his stimulating interview with Daily News Egypt, as he lay on his Arabesque-style sofa wearing a traditional galabeyya ready to discuss his career.
“The problem is that Islamic scholars, no matter how knowledgeable they are, may not understand that the Quran was composed and tuned, the 72-year old composer of Sufi music said.
Dagher was born in Damietta in 1936 with an instinctive love for music. He taught himself how to play the oud (oriental lute) at the age of seven.
Though his father worked in the music business, he rejected the idea of his son becoming a musician. “My dad used to beat me up to force me to stop playing music, he recalled laughing, while uncovering his leg to reveal old marks of injuries.
“He wanted me to be an Azhar scholar or a lawyer because, at that time, these were the most respected jobs.
Young Abdo didn’t give up though. “I used to run away from school to go and play music, he said.
Dagher left home when he turned 13 to work for Sufi singers and chanters at mawalid (religious celebrations). “Working with Sufi singers helped me formulate my own methodology, he said.
Back then Dagher wasn’t familiar with Western music. However, he was transfixed by the sound of an Italian violinist named David Osra who performed at a church concert held in his hometown.
“I asked an Egyptian music instructor about this fascinating music and he explained to me that it was an advanced music genre, Dagher recalled. “He told me I could be like him if only I had the will.
From that moment onward, Dagher started playing the violin until he mastered it. “In 1950, I completed my first composition, thinking naively that Osra would play it for me, he said.
Dagher moved to Cairo at the age of 18, where he worked in a shop that manufactured musical instruments. Gradually, his musical dexterity attracted a sizable buzz until he was taken up as a member of famous Arabic takhts (ensembles), accompanying the likes of Om Kolthoum and Mohamed Abdel-Wahab.
“I used to impatiently wait for the time when I finished working with these ensembles to get back quickly to my own music, he recalled.
In the 1960s, Dagher – who never learned to read music scores – was a regular performer of traditional Mowashahat in Balloon Theater. Backstage, Dagher’s own practicing sessions became a substantial attraction. “Many famous musicians noticed me and kept listening. They told me nobody would be able to understand or play such music and that I composed it for myself only, he explained.
Their prophecy proved to be false, as Dagher’s innovative sound became popular, and he eventually trained generations who embraced his music.
Dagher’s music is known for expressiveness, meticulously crafted monotones and unpredictable experimentations. Among his most famous pieces are: “Layali Zamaan (Nights Gone By), “Longa Nahawand, “Al-Nil (The Nile) and “Nidaa’ (The Call).
His career took an unexpected turn in 1990 when he met a German oud player named Roman Bunka. It turned out that Bunka actually listened to Dagher’s music in Germany but didn’t know who the composer was.
Bunka came back one year later with a fellow German documentary filmmaker who directed a film about Dagher entitled “The Oud. The film received critical acclaim, winning an award at the Chicago Film Festival, and paving the way for Dagher’s first tour in Europe.
Dagher soon became a household name in classical music circuits in Europe, performing several highly acclaimed concerts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He also conducted a number of workshops on Arabic violin, tailored for European musicians. Dagher’s prominent status in Europe was cemented when a statue of him was set up inside a public garden in Germany.
The story of Dagher’s life was also documented in a book by Egyptian writer Khairy Shalaby entitled “The Pearl Fishers.
Nevertheless, Malik Al-Takasim (Master of Improvisation), as he is often dubbed, believes that he hasn’t been given the proper recognition he deserves in his homeland.
“My music hasn’t been transcribed or preserved yet. The entire musical heritage I composed over the years will go away if I die, he bitterly said.
“The whole world has recognized my music except Egypt.
Dagher’s last European stop was in Switzerland two years ago where a fancy party was thrown in his honor to celebrate his 70th birthday. He also received an honorary diploma from Zurich University.
“I have never held a birthday party in my life or went on vacation. I dedicated my whole life to music, he said.
Catch Abdo Dagher Thursday at the Cairo Opera House’s Open Air Theater, 9 pm. Tel: (02) 2739 0212
