BASMA & ORWA are the balance between the elegant heritage of Syrian songs and contemporary expressionism. With the words of Sufi poems, Basma lights the stage with the warmth of her voice surrounded by the deep and unique style of Orwa’s Oud.
This charismatic duo brought old Arabic melodies back to nowadays life and unified Arab generations all around the world, with their ex- traordinary redefinition of their heritage.
The two Syrians never met in Damascus, but here in Vienna, they started working on many projects together, until they reached this Duo that explores with their music, using fewer elements and focusing on the possibilities, that one oud and one voice could reach.
One Oud-player who takes it to the limit and further, this is Orwa’s progressive approach. One voice that breaks hardness with tenderness, this is Basma’s emotional expression.
The Oud is being plucked, hit, stroked and it emphasizes Basma’s powerful voice where Orient meets Occident. A duo with goose-pim- ply-effect, that takes you to a journey to old cities and rewrite their stories.
Press
- Article in “The New Arab” about the project: article
- Article in the Austrian “Kulturwoche” about “The Songs We Still Remember” article
Songs
You can listen and enjoy to some songs from the project: