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World premiere of new music formed by bringing together musicians from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq for a beguiling blend of acoustic and electronic sounds.

Conceived by oud player and experimentalist Khyam Allami, the core of the Alif Ensemble features vocalist Tamer Abu Ghazaleh and electronica pioneer Maurice Louca with a band of musicians from both traditional and contemporary Arabic music disciplines. Khyam Allami was born in Syria and grew up in London but found himself longing to connect with his Iraqi roots. A skilled multi instrumentalist, after spells in indie rock groups he began to study the oud, Arabic music theory and traditional Iraqi repertoire, travelling the Middle East to study with maestros of the instrument. Although perceived as a performer of ‘traditional’ music, it’s clear that there is something different about his oud playing. His interweaving melodies and rhythmic flourishes respect traditional forms and structures, yet always hint at something new.

'[Khyam Allami] epitomises the best of the new generation of oud players... utterly bewitching’
Songlines Magazine

Tamer Abu Ghazaleh is a Palestine-based composer of alternative Arabic music, an oud and buzuq player and vocalist. His music combines traditional instruments with electric sounds and driving bass lines. He sings - in formal literary Arabic (fus'ha), Palestinian and Egyptian dialects - lyrics written by himself or borrowed from Arab poets. His most recent album, Mir'ah, was composed in Palestine during the period in which demonstrations erupted, during the bombardment of Palestinian cities, during curfews, and during the construction of the wall. The album expresses brilliantly every-day human emotions blended with the not-so-usual experience of living in Palestine.

Maurice Louca was born in Cairo, where he lives and works. He co-founded, and is a member of, the electronic trio Bikya. His debut solo album Garraya was released in January 2011 on the Cairo-based label 100COPIES. It’s a furious collection of chillingly hypnotic drones and beat-driven climaxes. He has lent his formidable electronica sound to numerous projects composing for theatre, film and contemporary visual artists. The Egypt Independent recently said ‘While most other comparable local acts are still plodding around on the path set by Radiohead, Louca is miles ahead, comfortably experimenting with Flying Lotus-levels of complexity’.

The premiere in Liverpool is presented by Liverpool Philharmonic as part of Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 2012 and the London 2012 Festival. Created for BT River of Music, part of the London 2012 Festival, which is supported by National Lottery Funds through the Olympic Lottery Distributor and Arts Council England, and produced by Serious.

Tickets £15, £22.50