Ahmed Mukhtar
Oud Master, Composer and Teacher
In the press
Awards balance media’s distorted view of Britain’s Muslims
A panel of seven judges drew up the shortlists and chose the final winners. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor presented the Alhambra Award for Excellence in the Arts to the Baghdad-born master of the oud Ahmed Mukhtar, who since 1990 has performed, toured and taught throughout the Middle East and Europe. He has composed music for theatre, film and TV, and four CDs of his performances have been released.14 April 2009 - By Susannah TarbushNinth Annual Ceremony recognises the very best of British Muslim Achievement
Opposition Leader, David Cameron said, “Over the years the Awards have firmly established themselves in the national calendar6 April 2009 - Muslim News
The composer and player of Oud, won the Arts Award
The awards are an opportunity to show appreciation for the contribution of British Muslims in the society, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said.6 April 2009 - IslamOnline
Saleh Al-Kuwaity’s musical legacy is revived as his centenary is celebrated
the London-based Iraqi oud master Ahmed Mukhtar, paid tribute to “the genius of Saleh Al-Kuwaity” who “created new styles of Iraqi maqam music and freed the maqam from its restrictions and mixed some of it with urban music.”10 January 2009 - Susannah Tarbush
Mukhtar, the discovery of a new maqam related to Al -Kindi.
but on his own compositions he featured his own distinctive, fluid, melodic style of playing. He specifically drew on an Andalusi influenceTom Jackson
Out of a crisis comes drama
In addition to Stravinsky's score, there will be Iraqi and Arabic music, composed by Ahmed Mukhtar, who plays the oud, a sort of lute.Kate Kellaway
Sound of Baghdad the Indepentent interview
Mukhtar plays in the style he learnt from Munir Bashir, which is itself derived from modes handed down through the centuries, and which is beautifully exemplified in Bashir's The Art of the Oud.Michael Church
Mukhtar in the World on Your Street tent at WOMAD 2003
'Muwashshah is a very old style of singing which dates from the golden age of Arabic and Oriental music'
BBC Radio
Classical music meets Saddam's notorious torture-house
"Arabic clarinet-playing is completely different from the European style". On the other hand, Mukhtar feels comfortable with Stravinsky: "There's something very Eastern about his music, which I feel close to."Michael Church
The Soldier's Tale, music by Mukhtar
The music is, however, lovely - Ahmed Mukhtar's Arabic additions woven deftly around the Stravinsky; if only the rest of the evening had shown such intelligence and tact.
By Robert Hanks
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