Going to Marcel Khalifé's concert at the Kennedy Center yesterday was the best thing I have done in a while. The music, the words, the talents, everything was magical, indescribable! I enjoyed every second of it and I wished it went on longer to extend the heavenly experience I had in the presence of a prodigy!
Marcel Khalifé's songs were among the first songs I loved and memorized in childhood. Far from typical, his songs have special inspirational values that transcend all measures of success. What makes Marcel Khalifé stand out is a combination of his moving words and poems, particularly the ones written by Mahmoud Darwish, and his amazing talent composing and playing his own music. The Oud, his instrument, provides the Arabic dimension and rooting in his music, among a variety of other instruments.
His sons, Rami and Bachar, are no less talented on the Piano and Percussion (respectively). Both played throughout the concert without notes! Omaima El-Khalil and her famous "asfoor tal men el shebbak" (A bird peered from the window) song was wonderful as always. Each and every person in his ensemble has an extraordinary talent playing their instruments, it makes you wonder how can so many individually talented people all be in one place and play in such wonderful harmony! What's noteworthy is how Marcel Khalifé made sure he gave almost every person in his ensemble a chance to play solo, showcasing their individual abilities. There were also several pieces of musical dialogues, if I may so call them, where two to four instruments would play simultaneously or respond to each other.
Marcel Khalifé's unwavering nationalism and courage rocked Washington D.C. despite immigration officers' intimidation attempts at his arrival. He shared with the audience his story of being pulled aside by immigration officers at airports every time he enters the U.S., this time being the worst because he was held up for 3 hours despite the special visa he was given by the Kennedy Center to facilitate his entry. Yet he was gracious enough to dedicate his famous "Passport" song to the immigration officer who pulled him aside! It's probably time that immigration officer does his/her homework about this legendary political, cultural composer, conductor, songwriter, and singer. After all, the event was called "And we Love Life" - Salute to Mahmoud Darwish.* Let's not forget that "[w]herever his artistic paths may lead him, Palestine will always remain a life theme for Marcel Khalife." Qantara.de 2009
* Kennedy Center - Washington, DC: Arabesque Festival: Arts of the Arab World, February 23 - March 15, 2009
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