Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Lebanon

Birth

:

1943 in Lebanon

Genre

:

Film

 

Ali Jihad Racy is a renowned composer, performer, and ethnomusicologist who has made significant contributions to the field of classical music. Born in Lebanon in 1943, Racy grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a well-known oud player, and his mother was a singer. Racy began playing the oud at the age of six and quickly developed a passion for music. Racy's early musical education was primarily focused on traditional Arabic music. He studied with some of the most prominent musicians in Lebanon, including the renowned oud player and composer, Munir Bashir. Racy also studied Western classical music and earned a degree in musicology from the Lebanese National Conservatory of Music. In 1968, Racy moved to the United States to pursue further studies in music. He earned a master's degree in musicology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his time at UCLA, Racy studied with the legendary composer and conductor, Lukas Foss, who had a profound influence on his musical style. Racy's compositions are a unique blend of traditional Arabic music and Western classical music. He has written numerous works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, including the oud, which he often performs himself. Racy's music is characterized by its intricate rhythms, complex harmonies, and use of traditional Arabic scales and modes. One of Racy's most famous works is his Concerto for Oud and Orchestra, which was premiered in 1990 by the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the oud, featuring complex rhythms and intricate melodic lines. The work has been performed by orchestras around the world and has become a staple of the oud repertoire. Another notable work by Racy is his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered in 1985 by the Kronos Quartet. The quartet is a fusion of Arabic and Western musical traditions, featuring traditional Arabic scales and rhythms alongside Western classical harmonies and forms. The work has been praised for its innovative approach to chamber music and its ability to bridge cultural divides. In addition to his work as a composer, Racy is also a highly respected performer and educator. He has performed extensively throughout the world, both as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. Racy has also taught at numerous universities, including UCLA, the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of California, Riverside. Racy's contributions to the field of ethnomusicology are also significant. He has written numerous articles and books on traditional Arabic music and has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Middle East. Racy's research has focused on the role of music in Arab culture and the ways in which traditional music has been influenced by Western musical traditions. Throughout his career, Racy has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2009, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, which is the highest honor given to traditional artists in the United States. Racy has also been awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Fulbright Fellowship, and the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship.

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