MALEK JANDALI ECHOES FROM UGARIT
Echoes from Ugarit is a 2009 album by composer and pianist Malek Jandali. The album was recorded in Moscow with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Kondrashev. This album features eight piano and orchestra compositions, seamlessly blending ancient melodies with contemporary classical influences.
Jandali takes listeners on a musical journey across time and place—from the ancient city of Ugarit, where the world’s oldest musical notation was discovered, to the rich sounds of Andalusian heritage, the markets of Damascus, and the romantic echoes of Syrian folklore. His compositions evoke deep emotions, combining Eastern maqams with Western harmony, creating a seamless fusion of cultures and eras.
With its evocative melodies and intricate arrangements, Echoes from Ugarit offers a timeless experience, celebrating the deep historical and cultural roots of music while reimagining them for modern audiences. Several music videos were produced with the release of this album:
With its evocative melodies and intricate arrangements, Echoes from Ugarit offers a timeless experience, celebrating the deep historical and cultural roots of music while reimagining them for modern audiences. Several music videos were produced with the release of this album: Piano Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1XNMSMO4l8) , Echoes from Ugarit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi-nM7j6XUE) ,and Eid. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM1F8UVG0WE) along with several performances with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra at the Damascus Opera House: Leil (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLOB8O8_8E) ,Eid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqLjGr8NTaM), Yafa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WrqxZMOMT4), Arabesque (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEGbub2TBlE), Echoes from Ugarit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xuc5JCmb12U .
Echoes from Ugarit is a groundbreaking musical journey that revives the world’s oldest known music notation. Discovered in Ugarit (modern-day Ras Shamra, Syria) and dating back to 1400 BCE, this ancient melody—inscribed on a clay tablet in cuneiform—is the earliest recorded music in human history.
In this visionary album, composer and pianist Malek Jandali reimagines the Hurrian Hymn, a sacred composition dedicated to the goddess Nikkal, blending its 3,400-year-old musical structure with contemporary classical and orchestral elements. His signature fusion of Middle Eastern modes and Western harmonies results in a rich and expressive soundscape that bridges ancient traditions with modern sensibilities. The album features melancholic piano themes, intricate orchestral arrangements, and evocative harmonies, preserving the rhythmic essence of the original notation while introducing a fresh, cinematic depth.
The discovery of this Ugaritic hymn reshaped our understanding of music history, revealing that concepts like the seven-note diatonic scale and harmony existed far earlier than previously thought. Echoes from Ugarit sheds light on Syria’s profound contributions to global music and culture, reinforcing Ugarit’s legacy as the birthplace of both the alphabet and musical notation. By transforming an ancient melody into a timeless work of art, Jandali connects the past with the present, ensuring that the echoes of Ugarit continue to resonate across generations.
