Artist Salon: North African Traditions, New Music Creating a Concerto for Oud and Baroque Orchestra

Join us for an Artist Salon: North African Traditions, New Music Creating a Concerto for Oud and Baroque Orchestra, a free public conversation presented by Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, Stanford Live, and Stanford's Department of African and African American Studies.

Discover the story of the oud—the fretless, pear-shaped lute whose sound has shaped musical traditions across North Africa and the Middle East for centuries and which is an ancestor of the modern guitar.

Composer Tarik O'Regan and oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros will take audiences behind the scenes of a new piece O’Regan has composed for oud and Baroque orchestra, scheduled to premiere at Bing Concert Hall on February 7, 2027.

O'Regan, whose music has been performed by leading ensembles around the world, will discuss the inspiration behind the work, while Tawadros—whose performances have introduced international audiences to the expressive sound of the oud—will share the instrument's rich musical traditions, demonstrate its remarkable range, and offer insights into bringing this new composition to life. The conversation will be moderated by Stanford professor and acclaimed scholar Professor Matthew D. Morrison, whose work explores music, culture, and identity.

The event also features live musical demonstration by Joseph Tawadros, a performance by the Stanford Middle Eastern Ensemble, and an audience Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the artists.

Date: Tuesday February 2, 2027

Time: 5-7pm

Location: Building 80 (Main Quad)

Light bites and refreshments will be served.

Admission is free, but RSVP is required as space is limited.

Join us at the concert on Sunday, February 7 at 2.30pm at Bing Concert Hall. Visit live.stanford.edu for tickets and more information.

Co-presented by the Center for African Studies, Department of Music, Institite for Diversity in the Arts, Middle Eastern Studies Forum and Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies.