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THE Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, Bahrain Summer, has given us some glorious, free musical treats over the past two months.
Last week’s concert at the Cultural Hall in Manama featuring Taziri: ‘Titi’ Robin Ensemble was the icing on the cake. I am still overwhelmed by the sheer professionalism of the artists one week later.
Titi Robin – a French musician, composer and collector – is best admired for his mix of Gypsy, Flamenco and Mediterranean influences in creating what has become known as ‘world music’. He usually chooses to work with equally talented musicians creating a spectacular series of concerts and then moves on to his next project. Believe me, if he stays with this project, he will have made the right decision.
The ensemble consisted of Titi on the oud and guitar, drummer Habib Mefto Boushehri from Chad, accordionist Francis Varis from Paris and singer and guembri player Mehdi Nassouli from Morroco. What an ensemble!
They placed themselves in such a way that the entire stage was dominated by their presence, yet no one took precedence in our sight lines. The lighting display was wonderful and the sound crystal clear. Better yet, the concert started exactly on time; a phenomenon rarely seen in Bahrain.
Right from the opening lines of the first song, we were entranced. I was pulled back to memories of African Sanctus, performed here by the Manama Singers in June, 2010, as its, sadly, now departed composer, David Fanshawe, oversaw the event. I had to stop myself from turning to his ghost image to my right, as I visualised him grinning hugely.
The music and songs ranged from traditional Berber pentatonic music to the wild raciness of flamenco and off around the Mediterranean Sea to pull in the musical nuances of the countries that receive its powerful waves … on to India and down into Africa.
There was no star of the show, which in itself is a great tribute to Titi. Each musician brought their own flair and musicality and were given equal chances to shine like the stars they are. It was glorious expression of rhythms criss-crossing in light and happiness.
Bousheri was absolutely mesmerising with his drumming. At one point his hands were moving so fast that they resembled a slow motion version of a hovering hummingbird.
Varis made the accordion into a singing voice that echoed the notes and words of the music in ways that made me rethink what an accordion can do.
And Nassouli? His singing captured my soul and his mastery of the guembri was nothing short of phenomenal. To explain, it is basically a wooden box body, much as one would store riding boots in, covered in camel skin and with what appears to be a form of broomstick neck, with three strings attached. There is no way to describe the music he gave birth to from this seemingly simple three-stringed bass guitar.
And lastly, the master wizard who brought it all together, Titi … his skills as a musician and composer are impeccable, but above all it is the sheer joy of performing that his concerts exude that make for such a memorable evening.
We have to give a huge ‘thank you’ to the Culture Ministry for making it all happen for us – for free!
– Christine Hasan
