Canticum Novum

The oud, an instrument for happy days and days of sorrow, an instrument of celebration and solitude, has survived the centuries by knowing how to adapt to all types of music. Depending on the region where it is played, from Constantine to Damascus or from Rabat to Cairo, the oud accompanies classical singing, traditional repertoires within different types of orchestras and admirably serves as a solo instrumental suite. Playing a major role in the teaching of musical theory and the Arab tonal system, it has always been closely associated with the learned tradition. 

Since its creation in Babylon two thousand years ago, in a Mesopotamia that was not yet Iraq, this instrument, symbol of the Arab-Persian world, has never ceased to evolve, to develop and to make its infinite range resonate on all continents. Although it was introduced in the Middle East and Maghreb countries in the 7th century with the advent of the Umayyad Empire, it was quickly exported to territories under Moorish influence to become a major component of Arabo-Andalusian music.

At the crossroads of the traditional repertoires of the Near East and the cosmopolitan identity of Canticum Novum, this programme evokes the journey of this symbolic instrument, which has strongly influenced the musical repertoires of the cultures involved. Taking as its starting point the incredible legend of the Kurdish musician Zyriab (who introduced the Oud to Andalusia), Canticum Novum gives an account of the richness and complexity of the poetic and musical registers that have shaped this instrument, creating bridges between people, their creative needs and their spiritual aspirations.

8 musicians / Musical director: Emmanuel Bardon
Gülay Hacer Toruk, Emmanuel Bardon, vocals
Valérie Dulac, fiddles
Guénaël Bihan, recorders, traverso
Philippe Roche, Khaled Aljaramani, Bayan Rida, oud
Ismaïl Mesbahi, percussion

Programme 
Musical repertoires from the Near East and the Mediterranean basin.

Creation period - September 2022