The Phonograph Changed Me by Marmoucha Orchestra

Описание: The Phonograph Changed Me : A Multimedia Tribute to Umm Kulthum | During the Opening of the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival

50 years after Umm Kulthum, a multimedia celebration
In 2025, we commemorate 50 years since the passing of Umm Kulthum, the unparalleled Egyptian star famously known as “The Fourth Pyramid.” As the iconic face of pan-Arabism, she touched millions of hearts with her voice, which echoed across the airwaves via Radio Cairo—a channel that, during the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, symbolized Arab pride and unity. While the dream of Arab unity has faded over time, Umm Kulthum's music endures as shared cultural heritage and a perpetual force of connection.

In honor of this legend, Marmoucha Orchestra presents a special tribute: “The Phonograph Changed Me”, a multimedia performance shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of Umm Kulthum's life and artistic vision.
Directed by Toni Geitani and led by artistic director Arin Keshishi, Marmoucha Orchestra presents this tribute as a musical storytelling that engages all the senses.
This performance is not just a tribute to Umm Kulthum but also a journey through a pivotal period in Arab and global music history. Let yourself be swept away by the stories, voices, and visuals that defined an era, and discover how Umm Kulthum's extraordinary vision made her the immortal icon she remains today.

Aghadan Alqak
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Arrangement: Maripepa Contreras

Guest Artist:
Mireille Bittar - Vocal

Marmoucha Orchestra:
Toni Geitani - Project leader, Electronics, Visual
Arin Keshishi - Artistic Director, bass, arrangements
Maria Cristina González - Flute
Maripepa Contreras - Oboe, arrangements
Javid Ardani - Ney
Pablo Rodríguez González - Violin
Daniel Lee - Violin
Kardelen Buruk - Viola
Diederik Smulders - Cello
Xavi Torres - Piano
Mohamed Ahaddaf - Oud
Udo Demandt - Percussion
Emad Ghajjou - Darbuka
Ardashes Agoshian - Arrangements
Feras Khouri - Arrangements
Omnia Najm - Voice over

Hayden Hook - Recording, Mixing
Leslie Wilkes - Video, Editing

Said Salhi - General director
Peter Bander - Business director
Taraneh Pouryousef - Production coordinator
Anne Jellema - Marketing

Recorded live at the De Doelen.

FPK (National Funds for the Arts in the Netherlands)
AFK (Regional Funds for the Arts in Amsterdam)

Stichting Marmoucha - All Rights Reserved