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Kinan Azmeh (1976-    )

Kinan Asmeh, coomposer & clarinetistHailed as a “virtuoso” by the New York Times, "unique sound” by the Daily Star and “engagingly flamboyant” by the L.A. Times, Kinan Azmeh is one of Syria’s rising stars. His utterly distinctive sound is now fast gaining international recognition. Born in Damascus, Kinan was the first Arab to win the premier prize at the 1997 Nicolai Rubinstein International Competition, Moscow. A graduate of New York's Juilliard school, and of both the High institute of Music and Damascus University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Kinan is currently a doctoral music student of Charles Neidich at the City University of New York. Kinan has appeared worldwide as a soloist and composer. Notable appearances include: Opera Bastille, Paris; Tchaikovsky Grand Hall, Moscow; Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, New York; the Royal Albert hall, London; Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires; der Philharmonie; Berlin; the Kennedy Center, Washington DC; and the opening concert of the Damascus Opera House. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, The Bavarian Radio Orchestra and The Kiev Kamerata under such reputed conductors as Solhi al-Wadi and Daniel Barenboim. He has shared the stage with Marcel Khalife, Francois Rabbath, Mari Kimura, Elliott Sharp, Katia Tchemberdji, Kani Karaca and members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Compositions include several works for solo, orchestra, and chamber music; film, live illustration, and electronics, his multimedia work “Gilgamesh” with visual Artist Kevork Mourad has been touring the US and the middle east since 2006. His recordings include three albums with his ensemble HEWAR, a duo album with Sri lankan-Canadian pianist Dinuk Wijertatne and several soundtracks for film and dance. He serves on the advisory board of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, and is artistic director of the Damascus Festival Chamber Music Ensemble, with whom he released an album of new music written especially for the ensemble by various Arab composers.
 
COMPOSITIONS                                                            Azmeh Links     ~ ~ ~    Azmeh Discography    ~ ~ ~     Works by Genre
Prayer (Tribute to Edward Said), solo clarinet (2003)
Wedding, clarinet and orchestra (2005/2010)
Self-mirrored, piano and tape, w/opt. video optional (2006)
The Gilgamesh Project, clarinet, electronics and live illustrations (2006) [Kevork Mourad, live illustrations & visuals]
Minimal Dance, clarinet and tape, w/opt. video (2006)
Ibn Arabi's Postlude, clarinet, violin, viola and piano (2007) [also arr. for woodwind quintet and jazz trio]
November 22nd, clarinet and string orchestra (2009)
Walls and Towers, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and tape, w/opt. video (2010)


DISCOGRAPHY                                                            Azmeh Links     ~ ~ ~     Works by Genre
Hewar (2005)  -  first album of the ensemble " Hewar". Compositions by Kinan Azmeh:
    - Evening
    - Prayer (Tribute to Edward Said)
    - Rituals
    - Ink

9 Days of Solitude. The Damascus Session (2006)  -  second album of the ensemble " Hewar". Compositions by Kinan Azmeh:
    - Wedding
    - Airports
    - Lovo on 139th street in D
    - Truth in Mirror

Rigodon, film score (2007)
    - Dream
    - Intro
    - Couples
    - Flashback
    - Love After Ink
    - Jounney
    - Montage
    - Final
    - Credits
    - Dream Returns

Complex Stories, Simple Sounds (2009)  -  with pianist Dinuk Wijeratne. Compositions by Kinan Azmeh:
    - Ibn Arabi's Postlude
    - November 22nd
    - Resuf (Azmeh/Gokcen)


WORKS BY GENRE                                                            Azmeh Links     ~ ~ ~    Azmeh Discography    ~ top of page ~
Dramatic/Theater
The Gilgamesh Project, clarinet, electronics and live illustrations (2006) [Kevork Mourad, live illustrations & visuals]

Soloist(s) w/Orchestra
Wedding, clarinet and orchestra (2005/2010) [on album " 9 Days of Solitude", 2006]
November 22nd, clarinet and string orchestra (2009) [on album " Complex Stories ..., 2009]

Chamber
Evening, ensemble (2005) [on album "Hewar", 2005]
Rituals, clarinet and ensemble (2005) [on album "Hewar", 2005]
Airports, ensemble (2006) [on album " 9 Days of Solitude", 2006]
Lovo on 139th street in D, ensemble (2006) [on album " 9 Days of Solitude", 2006]
Truth in Mirror, ensemble (2006) [on album " 9 Days of Solitude", 2006]
Ibn Arabi's Postlude, clarinet, violin, viola and piano (2007) [also arr. for ww qnt & jazz trio][on album " Complex Stories ..., 2009]
Walls and Towers, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and tape, w/opt. video (2010)

Solo Instrument
Prayer (Tribute to Edward Said), solo clarinet (2003) [on album "Hewar", 2005]
The Gilgamesh Project, clarinet, electronics and live illustrations (2006) [Kevork Mourad, live illustrations & visuals]
Minimal Dance, clarinet and tape, w/opt. video (2006)

Piano
Self-mirrored, piano and tape, w/opt. video optional (2006)

Vocal
Ink, voice and ensemble (2005) [on album "Hewar", 2005]

Incidental/Film
Rigodon, film score (2007)

Electronic
Self-mirrored, piano and tape, w/opt. video optional (2006)
The Gilgamesh Project, clarinet, electronics and live illustrations (2006) [Kevork Mourad, live illustrations & visuals]
Minimal Dance, clarinet and tape, w/opt. video (2006)
Walls and Towers, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and tape, w/opt. video (2010)


AZMEH  LINKS                                                            Works by Genre     ~ ~ ~    Azmeh Discography     ~ top of page ~
Kinan Azmeh: I Am a Living Example of What This Country Has to Offer (Zena Takieddine, Forward Magazine)
A Syrian Frequent Flier, Clarinet In Hand (NPRmusic)
Syria-New York Express (Jennifer Melick, Thirteen)
The Young Talent of Syria: Clarinetist Kinan Azmeh Creates Innovative World Music (Nadia Ghattas, Epoch Times)

Composer's website    . . . contact Kinan Azmeh: kinanazmeh@yahoo.com

Azmeh @ Wikipedia
Azmeh @ AllAboutJazz
Azmeh @ Alwan for the Arts
Azmeh @ Facebook
Azmeh @ FEN Magazine
Azmeh @ Gilgamesh Project
Azmeh @ Incognito    also     here
Azmeh @ InstantEncore
Azmeh @ The Kennedy Center
Azmeh @ MusicWeb International
Azmeh @ Musicians for Harmony
Azmeh @ MySpaceMusic
Azmeh @ The New York Times
Azmeh @ NPRmusic
Azmeh @ OME Classic
Azmeh @ Le Poisson Rouge
Azmeh @ The Storylines Project

Streaming Audio
Azmeh @ Composer's website
Azmeh @ FEN Magazine
Azmeh @ last.fm
Azmeh @ MySpaceMusic
Azmeh @ NPRmusic

Recordings
Azmeh @ Incognito
Azmeh @ Suraj Music

Video
Azmeh @ YouTube
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