Mohammed Abdel Wahab

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Mohammed Abdel Wahab with a cümbüş mandolin

Mohammed Abdel Wahab (Arabic: محمد عبد الوهاب), also transliterated Mohammed Abd el-Wahaab (1907 - May 3, 1991)^[1] was a prominent 20th century Egyptian singer and composer. He composed 10 songs for Umm Kulthum (أم كلثوم). He was the first Egyptian singer to move from silent-era acting to singing. He died in 1991, and is still considered one of the four "greats" of Arab music, along with Umm Kulthum, Farid al-Atrash, and Abdel Halim Hafez.^[2] He composed the "Ya Beladi", the National anthem of the Kingdom of Libya (1951-1969).

Biography

Born in Bab El-Shaariyah area of Cairo, Egypt (where his statue stands), Abdel Wahab played oud before the Prince of Poets, Ahmed Shawqi. Abdel Wahab acted in several movies.

Adel Wahab's contribution as composer goes beyond that of a mere singer. Abdel Wahab, the composer, stands alone as a pivotal genius of the modern Oriental or Arabic music.

Contribution to Arab music

Egyptian singer & composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab Statue at Bab El-Sharyia square, Cairo

Despite the fact that Abdel Wahab composed many songs and musical pieces in classic Arab music, he was always criticized for his orientation to Western music. In fact, his introduced the Western rhythms to Arab songs in a way appropriate to the known forms of Arab songs. For example, he introduced in 1941 in his song Al Gondol the Waltz rhythm, and in 1957, he introduced the rock and roll rhythm in Abdel Halim Hafez’s song Ya Albi Ya Khali.

Abdel Wahab played oud before the Prince of Poets, Ahmed Shawqi. Abdel Wahab acted in several movies. He composed 10 songs for Umm Kulthum (أم كلثوم). He was the first Egyptian singer to move from silent-era acting to singing. He died in the year of 1991 and was born in the yea of 1907. He dead of heart failure.

Legacy

His personal belongings were put in his museum in the Music institute in Cairo.

A statue was erected in Bab El-Sheriya square (where he grew up) to keep his memory.

As a memorial and honor for him, Omar Khayrat, Egyptian composer, had rearranged some of Abdel Wahab's music and released them in an Album called Wahabiat.

Filmography

• Al Warda Al Baydaa (The White Rose).
• Mamnoua Al Hob (Love is Forbidden).
• Youm Saaed (A Happy Day).
• Rossassa Fe Al Qalb (A Bullet to the Heart).
• Lasto Mlakan (I am not an Angel).
• Domoo' El Hobb (Tears of Love).
• Yahia Al Hobb (Viva Love!)
• Ghazal Al Banat as himself (1949)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mohammed Abdel Wahab

• Biography
• MySpace Tribute

Selected musical pieces of Mohammed Abdel Wahab from Youtube website:

• Hayati
• Hadiyat Al Eid
• Al Khayyam
• Aziza