Maqamat
A unique group of master-level musicians was created from years of working and teaching together young musicians at Maqamat School of Eastern Music, in Safed, Israel. Together they incorporate ancient melodies from Persia, classical Turkish Ottoman music and the sound of the Arabic oud, with spices from Morocco and ancient texts in Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish.
Maqamat Ensemble
A world-leading group of traditional and modern Maqam-based music from the Middle-East, formed in Maqamat School of Eastern Music in Safed, Israel.
Led by singer and tar player Nissim Lugasi, the ensemble brings together master musicians, each specializing in a different musical tradition from the Middle-East, to present an original interpetation of ancient Jewish melodies from Persia, Morocco, Ottoman Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt.
This combination of the sound of Arabic oud, Persian tar, Turkish nay and even Flamenco guitar - put together with spices from Morocco and ancient texts in Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish - creates an indistinguishable musical texture which calls for further exploration.
A Jewish Eastern Fantasia (Show)
Eastern Jewish Fantasia is an exotic musical journey that crosses boundaries of geography, time and faith -- reflecting an Eastern Jewish musical culture bridging the vibrant spaces of the silk road in Central Asia to the Middle-East to the far West in Andalusia. Unique arrangements and re-linked melodies and texts bring a contemporary cultural experience that reflects historical cultural exchange.
Photos by: Peeter Paaver, Balazs Agrez, Muuma (Viljandi Folk Festival)
Maqamat Orchestra
Maqamat Orchestra is a unique configuration of
5 international master musicians and 10 graduates from the
Maqamat School of Eastern Music in Safed, Israel.
With Elad Levi as musical direrctor and guest vocalists such as Yohai Cohen and Amal Murkus, Maqamat Orchestra presents traditional music of the Jews of Morocco, Persia, and the Arab world, with breathtaking songs in Hebrew, Moroccan Arabic and Persian.
Together with the best of the new generation,
they bring to the stage decades of exploration and fresh
perspectives on the musical traditions of the Middle East.
WORKSHOPS
and masterclasses
We offer quality educational experiences for the general public,
schools or working musicians. Here are a few examples:
Ancient Persian singing | With Nissim Lugasi
An in-depth vocal journey where we will develop vocal skills and techniques from the folklore and classic music of Central Asia, Turkey and the Jews who lived in these regions. The workshop will include practicing breathing and body techniques typical of Eastern singing, familiarity with Maqam singing and rhythms that characterize these regions. In the process we will learn a Piyut (sacred song) from the Jewish tradition.
Sacred Songs of Morrocan Jews | With Elad Levi
A journey into the world of North African Jewry’s poetry, whose roots are rooted in Andalusia of the Middle Ages and Safed of the 16th century. In the workshop, we will shed light on the special melodies and rhythms that characterize the Jewish-Andalusian tradition.
*All of the workshops and masterclasses are delivered in English
Photos by: Tal Alkalay, Wojceich Krysiak (JCF), Ako Lehemets
Elad Levi
is the premiere Kamanja (Moroccan violin) player in Israel. He serves as the Musical Director of the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra and performs in Israel, Morocco and abroad. Elad heads the North African music department at Maqamat School of Eastern Music.
Maqamat team
Nissim Lugasi
is a musician, singer and Persian Tar player. With 25 years researching and performing classical Persian and Ottoman Turkish singing. Nissim is one of the leading experts in this field in Israel. He has collaborated with major world artists and performed extensively in Israel and abroad. Nissim serves as musical director of Maqamat School of Eastern Music.
Dr. Wassim Odeh
is a Palestinian Oud virtuoso and composer inspired by the classical Arabic musical heritage of Oum Kulthum and Mohammed Abdul Wahab. He recently released his third album Moshaghbeen. Odeh has received international prizes for performance and composition and has collaborated with Simon Shaheen, the London Symphony and Radiohead.
Daniel Yaakobi
is an Israeli Oud and Flamenco Guitar player. Having studied Spanish flamcenco and Andalusian North-African music, his playing technique is uniquely inspired by both the guitar and the oud.
A maqamat graduate and staff member, Daniel performs with Andalusian and classical orchestras, flamenco ensembles and other musical groups in Israel and abroad.
Niri Sadeh
is one of Israel’s pioneers in Turkish Nay (reed flute). A singer, composer, arranger and recording artist for 20 years, Niri leads the Turkish music department at Maqamat School of Eastern Music.
Yohai Cohen
A prominent singer, composer, percussionist & mandole player. Born and raised in Safed, Israel to a family of immigrants from Morocco, Yohai is a master singer of North African music. He has toured across Morocco, USA, Europe, and Australia and performed with many of the most important musicians of the genre.
