For Naseer Shamma, the oud is not merely an instrument – it’s a time capsule from the region’s past and a bridge to its future. For nearly three decades, the Iraqi virtuoso has raised the instrument’s profile through his acclaimed performances worldwide, in addition to his Biet Al Oud (House of Oud) schools stretching from the UAE to Egypt. Tonight Shamma kicks off the Sharjah World Music Festival with a suite of new compositions.
How does it feel to be performing in Sharjah?
There is a real appreciation of culture in Sharjah – there are always festivals and events celebrating culture and arts and they are of good quality. Whenever I am there, whether it is a performance or lecture, there is always a very good atmosphere.
As an international performer, do you prepare differently when it comes to playing the oud in front of a Middle Eastern audience?
I always approach each concert as if it is my first one. For example, it was only last night that I finished the notes and the final arrangements for the performance. I always try to leave it until the last moments to make sure that it is perfect. We are performing nine pieces and these compositions are about the things I have experienced or been thinking about the last two years. One composition is a tribute to Cordoba while another piece is about the situations facing the Arab world.
Are you a storyteller first or a musician?
It does begin with a story in my mind and once it bears fruit I would go alone and practise on the oud until the story becomes clearer to me. By the time it gets to the stage I have understood it and know what I want to express to the audience.
You also run the Biet Al Oud music schools, which have branches across the region including in the UAE. How is that progressing?
It is going great because I see a lot of younger people enrolling now. I am talking about kids who are 5 or 6 years old. There is a deep interest in learning about the oud and generally Arab and Oriental instruments. This is a new development, because the oud is a traditional instrument and the youth of today are not really interested in anything traditional when it comes to music. They are mostly western-orientated, but in the past 15 years things are changing.
The young generation are coming back and asking questions about their traditional instruments. They are coming to Biet Al Oud because we present the traditional instrument with a contemporary sound.
Do you get a certain type of buzz when you’re performing?
On stage, definitely I feel most comfortable. I am totally different up there. I feel light and like an angel. When I am in a good mood and the audience is great and friendly, I feel like I am out of this world when I am performing.
Naseer Shamma performs tomorrow as part of the Sharjah World Music Festival at 8.30pm at Masrah Al Qasba, Sharjah. Tickets, from Dh150, are available at www.timeouttickets.com or from the venue.
