São Paulo – The Brazilian musician Claudio Kairouz will arrive in Tunisia in two weeks to perform alongside the native musician Raouf Jemni. They both play a typical Arab instrument called qanoun, and two years ago they formed a duo named “156 Cordas” (Portuguese for 156 Strings), or “Mia ua Sita ua Hamsim Watar,” in Arabic. Since they live in different countries, they get together approximately three times a year to perform. Kairouz will stay in the Arab country until July 6th and they should play two to three concerts. In August and September, Jemni will spend time in Brazil and play shows with his Brazilian colleague.
Kairouz is a classically trained pianist, but got interested in Arab music and the qanoun. He says he is the sole player of the instrument today in Brazil. He is not of Arab ascent, but some of his cousins are. He became acquainted with Arab culture and music through interacting with relatives and friends, as a child. “At wedding parties they would play Arab music. When I heard it, I was moved,” says Kairouz, who was born and lives in São Paulo.
He never considered being a professional musician, and went to college to study Systems Analysis. But he studied piano at a conservatory for nine years. “I got to know the music of the [Arab] community and dedicated more and more to it, leaving Western classical music behind and delving deeper into Arab music from the Middle East,” he says. Kairouz was driven to study Arabic and spent eight months in Lebanon, learning about the music and becoming fluent in the language.
He became aware of Jemni’s work online, by watching videos posted by the boy’s teacher. Kairouz realized that the Tunisian was a very virtuosic qanoun player, especially considering his age (he was 11 then), and kept in touch with his family online for a long period of time. In early 2012, Jemni travelled to Brazil with his uncle and stayed at Kairouz’s house. The two made home videos playing together, posted them online, and audiences approved.
In that same year, Jemni returned to Brazil to play with Kairouz in São Paulo concert halls. “We were widely acclaimed,” he says. They christened the duo and now they play in Brazil, Tunisia and other countries, mostly during the 16-year-old Tunisian’s school holidays. The repertoire includes traditional Middle Eastern pieces, works by contemporary composers, and their own compositions. They are planning on releasing an album together, in Brazil and Tunisia, but there is no set date yet.
The Tunisian will be in Brazil from August 16th to September 4th. According to Kairouz, they have been invited to play shows, but the duo is discussing the dates and places, and is open to further propositions.
Contact:
Duo 156 Strings
https://www.facebook.com/duo156strings
Email: kairouz@uol.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
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