A Mystical Meeting of Musical Worlds: Anouar Brahem & Friends in Paris

For me, the oud conjures ideas of childhood, mystery, and nostalgia. It represents the Arab world and its magic, even more so when this 11-stringed instrument is played by “the oud’s conjuror, an authentic master,” Anouar Brahem. Drawing on the depth and heritage of the oud, Brahem creates a soulful encounter alongside the piano, double bass, and cello. Indeed, the meeting of musical minds is the key to this concert’s extraordinary power, uniting the talents of the great Dave Holland (who played with no less than Miles Davis himself), the contemplative and marvelous Anja Lechner, and the irreverent Django Bates.

That’s one thing about this legendary oud player: he likes to collaborate. Here, he brings together Arab, Romani, Indian, and Iranian influences in a modest yet profound musical exchange with the three other musicians.

“Dancing under the Meteorites” is a pure delight. The double bass opens with a catchy, infectious line that invites us to dance, teasing greater forces and speeds yet to be unleashed. The instant familiarity of the melody reminds me of that beautiful moment when you feel as if you’ve known a new acquaintance for your whole life — and what could be more magical than that? Perhaps only the uncanny intelligibility of words and musical notes: the idea that someone living a completely different life from yours, thousands of miles away, has found an expression of their emotions through words and notes that could have been your own…

Brahem concludes this particular piece with verses from the poem by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish that inspired his 2025 album, After the Last Sky. His voice subtly enriched by the musicality of his native language, Tunisian Arabic, Brahem’s reading makes for a beautiful interlude.

And how could I not mention Dave Holland? His ethereal bass line anchors each piece in a fairytale world. He plays with both great tenderness and might, immersing the audience in a mystical realm. The same goes for cellist Anja Lascher, whose wonderful artistry shines through in “In the Shade of Your Eyes” which opens with a wistful oud-cello dialogue, setting the lamenting tone of the beautiful work, illuminated by the piano.

One of Anouar Brahem’s older compositions, “Vague” (2003, reinterpreted by the trio in his 2025 album, After the Last Sky), rounds out the program, marking the end of the listeners’ meditative journey through Brahem’s enchanting world.