Mohammed Abdul Karim

Taqasim on the Buzuq

• Tqasim on the Buzuq

• Tqasim on the Buzuq

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A cassette featuring recordings of Mohammed Abdul Karim performing taqasim on the Buzuq. Mohammed Abdul Karim (1911-1989) was a renowned Syrian Buzuq player born in Homs and nicknamed the Emir of the Buzuq. His father, Ali Mar’i, played the Oud and Buzuq and was his first music teacher. After his father's death, Abdul Karim moved to Damascus. At the beginning of his career, he played the Buzuq at Al-Nawfara Café, accompanying shadow play artist Abi Shakir. There, he met politician Fakhri Al-Baroudi, who helped him gain fame in the capital. He held many concerts in Aleppo, where he took his first steps as a composer. It was there that he wrote his song Leh Al Dlal W Enta Habibi and sang it himself. He later met musician Kamil Shamper, who invited him to Cairo, where he met prominent musicians such as Mohammed Al-Qasabji, Zakaria Ahmed, Dawood Hosni, and Mohammed Abdel Wahab. Abdul Karim was offered a trip to Germany by the representative of the German Odeon Records Company, where he recorded five records that included a collection of musical pieces and improvisations. He also played numerous concerts throughout Europe during this time. In 1936, Abdul Karim traveled to Jerusalem to attend the opening of Jerusalem Radio, where he worked as a musician in the radio orchestra. When Sharq El Adna (Near East Broadcasting) was established in Jaffa, he attended its opening, composed its musical jingles, and formed and led its orchestra. Abdul Karim later returned to Damascus, continuing his musical activities at the Damascus Music Club and on Damascus Local Radio. When Damascus National Radio began, he created its musical jingles and worked with its orchestra. His continuing creative career saw him composing, arranging, and pursuing musical distribution. He was also known for his innovative modifications to the Buzuq instrument.