139.00 PLN

LP-180G 33rpm:

Nr kat.: STS6111171
Label  : STS Digital

Ako Taher is an Iraqi-Dutch classical pianist. He began his musical career at the age of 8 with guitar lessons. When he was 12 years old, the guitar teacher stopped. There was no replacement or another guitar teacher available in Iraq. However, there was a piano teacher. Thus the dream was born to become a classical pianist. Misunderstood by his peers who were particularly interested in pop music, Ako studied 7 years of music in Baghdad. His life was music. Day and night. The first Gulf War broke out until the beginning of the 1990s. It is inconceivable how that radically changed life in Iraq. Ako had to stop playing. The wing was sold. Music was no longer allowed. His family was threatened by the regime. They could not stay in Baghdad and fled. In 1998 Ako was his turn. Through dangerous wanderings, many times arrested and returned, he now lives in Maassluis for years. He does not need much, but a life without music is inconceivable. In 2014 his story came in the media, he became a finalist in the TV program 'Holland's got talent'. All of a sudden there was attention for him, his story, his music. He played in Carré for the king and queen of the Netherlands and the complete cabinet, in Ziggo Dome for an audience of 18,000 people. Concert invitations followed. In 2017 he composed a piece of music as support for the film 'Lion' for the film festival Maassluis. Now Ako Taher presents his first LP 'Live at the gallery'. A unique LP. Not a perfect studio recording but an authentic live experience. The LP is produced dry and recorded in Gallery RitsArt. Fritz de With, STS Records, the only man in the Netherlands who knows how to make beautiful analogue recordings and has the right equipment for that, made the beautiful recording. The role that music plays in Ako's life, combined with the complex emotions gained through his experiences, gives his interpretations of existing compositions a sensitivity and depth with a special timbre. In addition to well-known compositions by Liszt, Chopin, Ravelli, an Iraqi Maqam composed by Ako Taher can be heard on the LP. The Maqam is an Iraqi - Arabic national anthem that combines Ako Taher with Western classical music. With this he gives a unique addition to the time-honored classical repertoire, which he might expand on the next album.