Concert: Thurs Feb 6, Convocation Hall
Michael Frishkopf
University of Alberta International Week presents a Concert:
Part of the Ethics, Rights, Culture and Humanization of Refugees Transdisciplinary Workshop
Thursday, February 6
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Convocation Hall
Transpositions: Music for Resilient Sustainable Communities
Sponsored by the Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights, Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology, Dept. of Music, Faculty of Arts Conference Fund and Global Education Program
This evening is an opportunity to learn about -- and experience -- music’s power to create a human connection and sustain humanity. Our first guest is Thomas Mapfumo, known as the “Lion of Zimbabwe” for his immense popularity and influence in critiquing power through Chimurenga (“struggle” in Shona) -- a musical genre he developed in the 1970s in support of human rights and social justice, transposing traditional mbira melodies to electric guitars. He championed the war for independence, leading to his detention and several arrests, and continued his political critiques under the Mugabe regime. As a target of government harassment, he moved to the US in the late 1990s. After Mugabe’s overthrow and a long absence from his homeland, Mapfumo returned to Zimbabwe in 2018 for a historic concert before 20,000 ecstatic fans. Mr. Mapfumo will deliver a talk by video-conference entitled “Voices from the Wilderness”, followed by a question and answer session.
A concert of Arabic music follows, featuring two virtuoso musicians, Roy Abdalnour (violin) and Ahmed al-Auqaily (percussion), accompanied by Michael Frishkopf (nay and keyboard) and special guest Guillaume Tardif (violin). Roy Abdalnour recently arrived in Canada from Syria, where he enjoyed a distinguished career performing with the best vocalists in the Arab world, from Sabah Fakhri to Nancy Ajram. Ahmed al-Auqaily studied music in Baghdad and played in a variety of bands there. He immigrated to Canada from Iraq in 1997 and has become well-known in Edmonton for his dazzling technique. Michael Frishkopf, Professor of Music and Director of the Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology, studied Arab music in Cairo. He leads UAlberta's Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble, a community ensemble. Guillaume Tardif is an Associate Professor of Violin and serves as String Area Coordinator at the Department of Music, UAlberta.
Dr. Michael Frishkopf
Professor of Music, Director, Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology (CCE) (cce.ualberta.ca). Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies. Adjunct Professor, Division of Community Engagement, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Mail: Michael Frishkopf, Department of Music, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta, 3-82 Fine Arts Building, Edmonton, AB CANADA T6G 2C9
Office: 334D Old Arts Building
Tel: Skype: (617) 275-2589 or meeekaaa; office: (780) 492-0225. Music Dept: (780) 492-3263; Fax: Music Dept: (780) 492-9246. CCE (780) 492-0242; Email: mich...@ualberta.ca; Web: http://frishkopf.org http://m4ghd.org