Egypt
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Riad Al Sunbati
Faraskur, Egypt
Archival Overview
Towering Egyptian classical composer and oud virtuoso whose majestic, complex musical suites for Umm Kulthum, notably 'Al-Atlal' (The Ruins), represent the supreme pinnacle of neoclassical 20th-century Arabic musical art.
Biographical Record
Son of a renowned folk singer from the Delta, Al Sunbati mastered classical Arabic poetry and modal maqamat at the Higher Institute of Arabic Music in Cairo. He composed over two hundred songs for Umm Kulthum over four decades.
His 1966 orchestral masterpiece 'Al-Atlal' was ranked by international musicologists as one of the greatest musical compositions of the twentieth century. In 1977, he was awarded the prestigious UNESCO International Music Council Prize.
Key Life Milestones
Composition of the Masterpiece 'Al-Atlal'
Composed the historic neoclassical orchestral suite for Umm Kulthum, celebrated globally as a supreme triumph of Arabic music.
Composition of the Masterpiece 'Al-Atlal'
Composed the historic neoclassical orchestral suite for Umm Kulthum, celebrated globally as a supreme triumph of Arabic music.
Composition of the Masterpiece 'Al-Atlal'
Composed the historic neoclassical orchestral suite for Umm Kulthum, celebrated globally as a supreme triumph of Arabic music.
UNESCO International Music Prize
Conferred the UNESCO Music Council Award, becoming the first Arab composer honored for contributions to world music.
UNESCO International Music Prize
Conferred the UNESCO Music Council Award, becoming the first Arab composer honored for contributions to world music.
UNESCO International Music Prize
Conferred the UNESCO Music Council Award, becoming the first Arab composer honored for contributions to world music.
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialCairo, Egypt