Mais El Reem – Ziad Rahbani. Middle East Music Ensemble

Performing the intro to Ziad Rahbani’s soundtrack Mais El Reem.

The Middle East Music Ensemble is an 85-piece orchestra at the University of Chicago, directed by Wanees Zarour.

Mais El Reem is an instrumental piece composed by Ziad Rahbani.
This performance of Mais El Reem is based on an arrangement made for Fairouz’s 2000 Beiteddine Festival performance. The piece was transcribed, partially rearranged and conducted by Wanees Zarour.

Featuring Special Guests Firas Zreik (Qanun) and Andrew Lawrence (Piano)

Graphics by Mariam Krisht
Video by Mike Grittani
Sound by Chris Wills

Musicians:
Middle Eastern Instruments:
Yasmeen Abushawish – oud
Salahaldin Ajjur – qanun
Negin Almassi – kamanche
Mark Gavoor * – oud
Lama Kabir – qanun
Ronnie Malley * – oud
Fayang Pan – nay
Jalal Rais Dana – santour
Eli Suzukovich III – oud
Diana Wang – oud

Strings:
Violin:
Rasa Mahmoudian (Concertmaster)
Michael Azar
Alexandra C
Jad Khater
Christopher Maatouk
Maria Pino
Daryoosh Shenassa*

Viola:
Daniel Andres Diaz
Sarah Estilo
Sara Ramaiah

Cello:
Maureen Dunne
Lara Adnan Nammari
Ian Resnick
Mi Row
Matthew Salfity

Winds and Brass:
Flute:
Zain Al-Khalil (Flute & Piccolo)
Lara Balıkçı
Elizabeth Diaz
Mary Snyder

Oboe:
Leo Mehring-Keller

Clarinet:
Alper Başar
Emily Coppess*
Dalia Fuleihan
Abdo Timejardine-Zomeño

Saxophone:
Hakan Başar (Alto)
Taraz Tofighi (Tenor)
Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel (Baritone)

Brass:
Mislav Forrester Knežević (Trumpet)
Julia Hajj (French Horn)

Percussion:
Shayan Azmoodeh
Edward Hanna
Tamara Hijazi
Barbara Kapp
Kai Movagh
Ilter Saygin

JJ Robeck (xylophone, vibes)
C Mikhail (Bass)
Karl El Sokhn (guitar, drums)