The Idea
In this piece, we bring together three clips filmed by audience members, capturing the Saudi Music Hub – Khobar choir performing Ya Zahratan Fi Khayali, with lyrics by Saleh Gawdat and music by Farid al-Atrash.
Choral Arrangement and Reviving Classic Tarab
The work is part of an effort to present classic Arabic tarab in a contemporary choral style, through a choral arrangement I prepared that brings out the harmonic dimensions of the ensemble voice while preserving the spirit and authenticity of the melody.
The Team
The choir was trained and conducted by Jeanette Zaki, with musical accompaniment by Cecil Vineet Abhishek, in a performance that combines artistic precision with live interaction with the audience.
Many Angles of One Moment
Simple as the clips are, they capture different angles of the same moment, where the ensemble voice meets the feel of the venue and the audience’s response — a musical experience close to being there.
A Contemporary Artistic Vision
This work is part of a broader effort to rediscover the classic Arabic song through choral arrangement, opening new ways to present it to today’s audiences.