Virtuoso Et Trio

Mustafa Said, Taoufik Mirkhan, and Ibrahim Kadar

Reina Sofía School Of Music, Madrid

Time: Saturday, 20 June 2026 12:00 PM

Location: Sony Auditorium, Reina Sofía School Of Music, Madrid

Featuring the most common Arabic instruments that form the topography of Modal Classical Arabic Music: Nai, Qanoun, and Oud.

This concert is divided into four parts. Each part runs from ten to fifteen minutes. Three of them show each instrument in a solo performance (Nai, Qanoun, and Oud), and the fourth is a trio performance.

The performance will concentrate on its three solo parts of one of the most recognised phenomena that depends entirely on improvisation; its earliest name was (جَسّ) (Jass), which means touching. Then (تَحْرِير) (Tahrir), which means to free or freedom, then the most common name: (تَقْسِيم) (Taqsim), which means to divide or division. All terms, however, are still used; even some other terms are used in different areas and at different times. This art is used in Classical Arabic Music in solo and group performances. Sometimes it does not have a periodic cycle, depending only on syllabic rhythmic paraphrasing; this is the most common, at least in our time. It can, however, be performed over many periodic cycles, moving it into another dimension of improvising and phrasing the improvisation on a rhythmic cycle, using the previously described non-rhythmic cycle. It shows the cleverness of the performer using the sense of tempo.

The fourth and last part is a small Waslah (وَصْلة) suite from Classical Arabic Maqam, from the old and contemporary Music.

Ibrahim Kadar, Nai

Ibrahim Kadar is a Nai player who graduated from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus. He performed as a soloist and in ensembles. His music was published in many albums. He is the Nai, Ensemble and theory teacher of Qatar Music Academy.

Ibrahim is known for his capability to perform in pure Arabic style and combine with other traditions, such as his work with European classical music composers.

He will perform a totally improvised program featuring many different styles of playing the Nai.

Taoufik Mirkhan, Qanun

Tawfiq Mirkhan is one of the few remaining Qanun Players who try to develop the authentic Arabic Qanun playing style. He graduated from the High Institute of Music in Damascus, as well as the faculty of pharmacy. He shared in many albums. He is the head of the Arabic Department of Qatar Music Academy and the Qanun teacher.

In his performance, Tawfiq will improvise, celebrating one of the most well-known Arab Qanun players who tried to develop Arab Qanun playing in the twentieth century (Mohammad Abdu Saleh). Tawfiq is trying to do the same, finding ways of internal development.

Mustafa Said, Oud

Composer, Oud player, Singer and musicologist. He is a head of research at the Qatar Foundation. Founder of Asil Ensemble of Classical Arabic Maqam in 2003. His main concern is the internal development of Classical Arabic music, fulfilling this through compositions and research. His albums and books were awarded in several international music and book awards.

He will perform contemporary improvisations, as well as a piece that is written as an example of developing the Oud player to reach contemporary, authentic Oud playing.

The Trio: Mustafa Said, Taoufik Mirkhan, and Ibrahim Kadar

The three players will perform together a Maqam Waslah from Segah, which is one of the main Maqams in the Modal Classical Arabic System:

• Bashraf QaraBatak Segah, Kemani Khedr Agha, eighteenth century.
• Kanat LeQalbi: composed by Mustafa Said, Poetry by Abu Mansour AlHallaj, tenth century. 

This concert is part of the Chair of Arab Studies, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, and aims to exchange knowledge about Arab music and culture, as well as build new bridges between diverse societies without forgetting the historical characteristics of each one. 

Book your seat here (free entrance)