Rahim AlHaj | Oud With Two-time Grammy-nominated Iraqi Virtuoso

In this episode of the Quartertnes podcast, we have a discussion with Rahim AlHaj, a virtuoso oud player and composer whose work transcends borders and embodies the soulful confluence of traditional Iraqi maqams and contemporary music. In this special event, Rahim shared personal stories from his upbringing in Iraq, his mentorship under the legendary Munir Bashir, and the profound journey of loss, hope, and exile that shapes his music. Through performances of "Letter 5, Going Home," "حلم (Dream)," and a piece composed for the Seattle Symphony, Rahim invited us into his world, where every note tells a story of longing and new beginnings. 00:00 Intro: Introduction to Rahim AlHaj and the Evening's Narrative 01:10 Rahim's Upbringing: Reflecting on His Early Life and Musical Beginnings in Iraq 07:05 Iraq's Music Culture: Insights into the Rich Musical Heritage Influencing Rahim 08:44 Studying with Munir Bashir: Impact of Learning from a Master Oud Player 13:20 Losing and Finding Your Voice: Rahim's Journey of Rediscovering His Musical Identity 20:07 "Letter 5, Going Home": Performance Capturing the Essence of Longing for Homeland 34:37 "حلم (Dream)": Piece Weaving Together Themes of Hope and Resilience 47:02 Seattle Symphony: Experience of Composing and Performing with a Symphony Orchestra Rahim AlHaj, born in Baghdad, Iraq, is recognized as one of the world's foremost oud musicians. A disciple of the legendary Munir Bashir, Rahim's music is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Iraqi school of oud, enriched with a contemporary sensibility. Having performed globally, from the Middle East to Europe and across the United States, Rahim's compositions reflect his experiences of exile and the search for belonging. His album "When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq" earned a Grammy nomination, highlighting his role as a bridge between cultures through the universal language of music. Beyond his performances, Rahim's work includes scores for documentaries and collaborative projects that speak to his commitment to storytelling through music. Connect with Rahim Al Haj 👉   / rahim_alhaj   Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉   / mikey_mu   FOLLOW & RATE THE QUARTERTONES PODCAST: » Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... » Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26VHvC6... » Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044... THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK    • QuarterTones | Music from the Arab World   ABOUT AFIKRA afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity. 📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters 🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts ⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership 🔗 Instagram:   / afikra_   🔗 Facebook:   / afikra.official   🔗 Twitter:   / afikra   #RahimAlHaj #oudMusic #IraqiMaqams #MusicofExile #MunirBashir #TraditionalIraqiMusic #ContemporaryComposition