Malek Jandali

Malek Jandali

Malek Jandali (Arabic: ﺍﻟﻤﺆﻟﻒ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺎﺯﻑ: ﻣﺎﻟﻚ ﺟﻨﺪﻟﻲ) (b. 1972), is a Syrian composer and pianist considered to be among the most versatile and creative musicians in the Arab world. He is the first Syrian and only Arab musician to arrange music based on the oldest music notation in the world, which was discovered in the Bronze City of Ugarit, Syria.

Life

Malek Jandali (Arabic: عازف البيانو والمؤلف الموسيقي السوري مالك ﺟﻨﺪﻟﻲ) born in Germany, raised in Homs, Syria, Malek began his musical career as a pianist, winning the first prize at the National Young Artists’ competition of Syria in 1988. Jandali studied at the Arab Conservatory of music in Damascus with Valdimir Zaritsky and Victor Bunin. In 1995, he received a full scholarship to the U.S. and attended North Carolina School of the Arts, NCSA, under Eric Larsen. He has appeared as a soloist in performances around the world including the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra with Solhi Al-Wadi conducting. Malek received numerous prizes including the Stegner Foundation for the Arts Fellowship and the 1997 Outstanding Musical Performer Award from Queens University. He studied composition and orchestration with Eddie Horst, Harry Bulow, Lawrence Dillon and Richard Prior. In 2004, he completed his Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina. Malek currently resides in Atlanta, GA and travels frequently to perform and complete film scoring projects around the world.

Music

Jandali is the only Syrian and the first Arab composer to arrange the oldest music notation in the world discovered in the Bronze City of Ugarit, Syria.

Malek has a deep interest in writing music for dramatic purposes and has often drawn upon visual images for musical inspiration. His compositions range from solo instrumental pieces to large ensemble and orchestral works. His music is dynamic, energetic and powerful, combining orchestra with piano and Arabic modes and melodies.

Malek has a special interest in Arabic music where he incorporates the "maqams" or modes with western harmony in his piano and orchestral compositions. His constantly expanding horizons have led him to become a unique composer with the ability to juxtapose oriental melodies with complex harmony to end up with an original blend of civilizations.

He also experiments not only with live, acoustical instruments, but also the implementation of MIDI and electronic sounds. A prolific composer, Malek has written and produced music for corporate multimedia, video presentations and commercials. Recent projects include scoring music for an independent film, television programs and documentaries.

Awards

• National Young Artists Competition - First Prize - Syria, 1988
• North Carolina School of the Arts - Full Scholarship - USA, 1995
• The Stegner Foundation for the Arts Fellowship
• Queens University - Outstanding Musical Performer - USA, 1997

Albums

His latest album "Echoes from Ugarit" includes 12 original music compositions for piano and orchestra recorded with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This is the first arrangement of the oldest music notation in the world of its kind. The release of “Echoes from Ugarit” was accompanied by a hugely successful tour of the USA and the Middle East.

Concerts and projects

His diverse career remains truly international, as he continues to captivate audiences in concerts throughout North America, Europe and Middle East. Malek has performed in sold-out venues in Damascus, Istanbul, Paris and Atlanta to name a few! Future tours include Dubai, Italy and the 2008 season opening of the Ludwig Symphony Orchestra. Click here for a complete list of past and upcoming performances.

Future recording and production plans include solo piano music and several orchestral works, as well as scoring for a number of documentaries and independent films.

External links

• The Official Website
• "What's On" Magazine - March 2008- From Ugarit to the World! - Interview With Composer & Pianist Malek Jandali
• "Forward Magazine - December 2007 - Syrian Echoes that Reach the World; Malek Jandali Plays Passion on Strings!
• "Annahar Newspaper - April 17, 2008 - عازف البيانو والمؤلف الموسيقي السوري مالك جندلي
• "Dubai Jazz - Malek Jandali: A Truly Hidden Syrian Gem!
• [http://www.asdaaonline.com/images/No14.pdf "Asdaa Newspaper - Press Release - Montréal Canada - May 2008

!الأصداء السورية تبلغ العالم مالك جندلي: من عاشق للموسيقى الى مؤلف موهوب أشهر مؤلف موسيقي وعازف بيانو من أصل ســوري في الولايات المتحدة]

• "The Center for Arab Culture and Dialogue - Washington D.C.- Syrian Musician Arranges and Performs World's Oldest Music Notation.
• "The first Arab composer to arrange world’s oldest music notation: Syria is the birthplace of alphabet, music and harmony!

Affiliations

• The Recording Academy
• The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)