NOVICE

OUM KALTHUM – UMM KALTHUM, 2nd part

29 januarja, 2018 No Comments

OUM KATLHUM – OUM KALTHUM – UMM KULTHUM, 1st part

OUM KALTHUM AND MOHAMED ABD EL WAHAB

A dramatic high point in the production of new love song was collaboration with Mohamed Abd-el Wahab. He began his career in musical theater in 1917 and became highly regarded as singer and composer. They became aquainted during 1920´s. Abd el Wahab starred in a number of successful films during the 1930´s and 1940´s, for which he also wrote music. He was viewed as prestigious and innovative composer. His speciality was to combine wide variety of styles, mixture between Arab and Western music.
The two artists different artistic objectives discouraged collaboration. Abd el Wahab was interested in modern music, experimenting with other styles and influenced by West, while Oum Klathum wanted to work with old arab music roots. From time to time the two were in direct competition. Both ran for president of Musicians Union in 1940´s and early 1950´s.

It is believed that egyptian president Abd el Nasir was very important in the connection of the two artist, that he alone cherished so much. In 1960 both of them received Order of Merit by Egyptian governement. Slowly  Abd el Naser and other mutual friends of the artists persusaded both of them to colaborate together. Agreement was formaly reached when Oum Kalthum and Abd el Wahab were performing together for a concert in honor of Egyptian National Day.
Their first success was Enta omri (You are my life), premiered in 1964. The song quickly became one of her most popular and famous songs. Nine more songs followed. All of the songs they did together were acompanied by huge press coverage. Not only in trade publication and fan magazines but also in the daily newspaper.

Read More