Virtuoso From Afghanistan

Ustad Mohammad Omar | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 23, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000063NC8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,732 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Afghanistan

Editorial Reviews

Afghan rebâb virtuoso Ustad Mohammad Omar, who was born sometime in the early 20th century, came to the United States in 1974 to Seattle’s University of Washington as an artist-in residence in the ethnomusicology department. On 18 November 1974, he gave his only U.S. concert, at the university’s Meany Hall. He was accompanied by 24-year-old Zakir Hussain, a budding Indian tabla player. Hussain went on to become a world-renowned tabla virtuoso. Ustad Mohammad Omar returned to Afghanistan after his year in Seattle and died in 1980.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If only there were more where this came from!, February 9, 2003

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Virtuoso From Afghanistan (Audio CD)

Congratulations! Whether on purpose or by accident, you just came across the single best "live" cd release of 2002! This disc was recorded in 1974 at Ustad Mohammad Omar's only public performance in the United States, a concert that I'm sure everyone who attended still remembers with extreme joy.

I'm not sure why, but I just didn't seem to be in much of a review-writing mood for alot of 2002. If I had been, I would have reviewed this cd much earlier, as it deserves.

Fans of Hindustani music will be pleased to know that the rabab is the instrument that the sarod evoled out of. If you're a fan of Buddhadev Das Gupta or Amjad Ali Khan or Ali Akbar Khan (etc...) then that in itself would be enough reason to be curious about hearing this cd. Obviously it's all about personal taste, but I couldn't fault someone if they preferred the tone of the rabab over that of the sarod. The rabab tone in Ustad Mohammad Omar's hands is beautifully tough to describe. I'd almost just say that it's sort of dreamy and ethereal yet aggressive, whereas the sarod is oftentimes more percussive and punchy. Hey, they are both amazing instruments tied to amazing master musicians. It's tough to go wrong either way.

It's saddening that music of this caliber isn't more well known. Hindustani music (particularly Ravi Shankar) is world famous, yet this music, an older cousin, is so underappreciated and little-known (in comparison) even though it is incredible. Mohammad Omar and Zakir reach moments of perfection on this disc.

Obviously, and unfortunately, most of America's view of Afghanistan is that it is some sort of backwards dirt-hole. A few decades of war, internal divisions, and political repression will do that to you. I just hope the world starts to realize that there is more to Afghanistan's story and people than what makes the headline news. This cd is an excellent place to start that journey of discovery for yourself. Once you listen to the music on this cd you will certainly find yourself wondering how and why the Taliban could grow up in a country with music like this and still choose to outlaw music.

Sometimes our world seemingly tries to find the bad in everyone else, but you pop in a cd like this and all you can think of is the beauty, emotional depth, and creativity that can be at the heart of humanity if we let it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Music From Afghanistan, February 25, 2006

By 

teental1010 "Yaman" (Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virtuoso From Afghanistan (Audio CD)

An extremely intersting and valuable document. This music is the precursor of Indian Classical Music. This great master is i beleive the only great master of Rebab that has left us a modern recording. The recording is excellent and the music haunting and deep. If the preceding words have frightened you i must also add it is really enjoyable music though not for easy listening. Giorgio from italy

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT AFGHANISTANIAN SOUNDS, July 9, 2005

By 

HOT MIX "karenkellock" (Southwest Desert) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virtuoso From Afghanistan (Audio CD)

Afghanistan has a rich musical heritage less evident in these lands ravaged by war and poverty. It's the same with Iraq--wonderful musical heritage (like Omar and Munir Bashir). You can really hear it in "Virtuoso from Afghanistan" and I recommend this album highly.