Music from the group Taraf Syriana takes us on a journey to the heart of the traditional music’s treasures of the countries of the Levant (once known as Bilad El Cham or Greater Syria), exploring an age-old heritage marked by passage over the centuries of a rich and diverse array of civilizations, ethnic groups, languages and religions.
With a view to surveying this lavish and varied cultural heritage, Taraf Syriana opens itself to the melodies, harmonies and rhythms of North Africa, Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Made up of brilliant musicians from wide-ranging backgrounds – Sergiu Popa on accordion, a specialist in Balkan musical styles, Omar Abou Afach on violin, Noémy Braun on cello and Naeem Shanwar on qanun – Taraf Syriana invites us on an exciting exploration of a cultural mosaic with varied and unexpected facets.
