Most recent articles by Stefan Franzen
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The Kurdish peopleNishtiman music project: Transcending what divides
They come from Iraq, Iran and Turkey; some live at home, others in exile – all, however, are Kurds. The musicians of the Nishtiman ensemble have a mission – to restore the cultural integrity of their homeland. By Stefan Franzen
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Interview with Masaa frontman Rabih LahoudOutspoken appeal
Masaa's blend of free-spirited instrumental quartet and outstanding male voice makes their sound arguably the most accomplished fusion of Jazz and Arab tonal colouring currently to be found in Germany. On their third album ″Outspoken″ the four musicians demonstrate their mature mastery of their craft. Stefan Franzen talked to singer Rabih Lahoud
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Musician Tamer Abu GhazalehThe beauty of rebellion
The Palestinian oud player, singer, poet and composer Tamer Abu is one of the busiest people on the Arab alternative scene. Based in Cairo, Ghazaleh runs his own network for independent music, a music agency and a music label. He is also founder of an Arab music magazine and has just released his third album "Thulth". By Stefan Franzen
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Simin Tander and Tord GustavsenThe harmony of mysticism
The Afghan-German singer Simin Tander and the Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen combine Sufi poetry with Christian hymns. By Stefan Franzen
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My Distant Country
Portrait of the musician Bachar Mar-Khalife
The Lebanese-French musician Bachar Mar-Khalife creates soundscapes that resonate between Orient and avant-garde. His latest album "Ya Balad" features a musical spectrum that spans the divide between ironic reggae, electronic rhythms, Arab poetry and chansonesque lullaby. Stefan Franzen met up with the multi-instrumentalist and composer
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"Tamburi Mundi" music festivalSummit of friendship
The Freiburg-based "Tamburi Mundi" music festival celebrated its tenth anniversary in special fashion this year by bringing together musicians from Isfahan and Tel Aviv. Far from the political tensions one might expect from representatives of these two cities, this get-together was all about friendship and harmonious unity. By Stefan Franzen
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The "Musiques Sacrees du Monde" festivalFez: an African reflection
Morocco's cultural ties with the regions beyond the Sahara provided the fascinating theme for the most recent Festival of World Sacred Music in the Moroccan city of Fez. Stefan Franzen was there
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The Lebanese singer Tania SalehBeirut's window on Rio
Even though the 45-year-old singer Tania Saleh never led the life of an underground artist, she hasn't trodden the comfortable and straightforward path of pop music either. As a young woman, she explored her talent and gained valuable experience in Beirut's rock scene. By Stefan Franzen
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Mercan Dede's album "Dunya"Earth as an acoustic notebook
One man has changed the face of the Turkish music scene for good: Arkin Ilicali alias Mercan Dede. His new album, "Dunya", completes his cycle on the elements. Stefan Franzen introduces an exceptional musician and his latest work
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The German-Afghan jazz singer Simin TanderAn unknown homeland
Simin Tander has undertaken a musical journey to her roots and to herself. The means of transport are varied: poems in Pashto, English and French, a jazz quartet and a finely nuanced, expressive alto voice. The destination is an exceptional album that transcends the boundaries between jazz, singer-songwriting and world music. Simin Tander's new album impresses listeners with its deep sensitivity and disarming honesty. By Stefan Franzen
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Interview with the Lebanese Composer and Oud Player Mahmoud Turkmani''I'm Way Beyond Any Categorization''
The 47-year-old musician and composer Mahmoud Turkmani was a highly accomplished oud player as a boy. As a young man, he rebelled against his upbringing and became a Communist. He left Beirut during the civil war and studied classical guitar at the Moscow Conservatory. From his adoptive home in Switzerland, he now enriches both Western and Eastern music with unorthodox works that fuse traditional and experimental elements and defy all categorization. Stefan Franzen met the artist
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The Film ''Tracks of Cairo''An Audio Diary of the Revolution
In January 2011, the German filmmaker Alexander Brief set off for Cairo to document the city's current music scene together with the ethnologist Johannes Roskamm. Shortly after arrival, the first popular protests broke out on Tahrir Square. Quite unintentionally, "Tracks of Cairo" turned out to be a musical as well as political diary