Randana

This engrossing recital showcases three Nazareth-born, oud-playing brothers of impeccable pedigree. The eldest, Samir, began his education under his father, a respected oud-maker. He graduated from a local music school before going on to study at the Muhammed Abdul Wahab Conservatory in Cairo, Egypt. The middle sibling, Wissam, is not only revered for fiery improvisations that are nonetheless firmly grounded in ancient modes but has followed in his father footsteps in a big way. He was the first-ever Arab lute builder to graduate from the Stradivarius Institute in Cremona, Italy. All three brothers perform on instruments hand-made by Wissam. The youngest, Adnan, only began playing professionally over the past couple of years and is already widely recognized as a prodigy. The trio made their Carnegie Hall debut in 2006, to rapturous acclaim, at composer John Adams's "In Your Ear Too" Festival. Comparisons to the DiMeola-De Lucia-McLaughlin guitar summit are only partly accurate. Rather than bringing together disparate styles, the Joubrans are engaged in creating a deeper understanding of a single tradition via multiple viewpoints. They have accomplished this so beautifully by acknowledging all that came before while supporting one another in extended solo flights of fancy. --Christina Roden

You might also like:

• Majaz
  
• Tamaas
  
• L'Ombre Des Mots
  
• Art of the Oud
  
• The Astounding Eyes of Rita