Farid al-Atrash

Farid al-Atrash

Farid was born in 1915 and died in Beirut on December 26th, 1974. He studied the lute at the public service department of the institute of music. At the same time, he was working as a driver. Among his teachers were the renowned composers Safar Ali and Mohamed El-Qasbgi. Farid later worked in the night club of Badie'a Mosabni.

Farid was a mixture of the originality of oriental music and modernity of western music. Farid was the best lute player in his age. He was also one of the first who introduced show business to Egyptian movies. He also introduced the dramatic song. Farid's music was simple and smooth. For more than thirty years, Farid was a diverse composer full of ambitions for oriental music.

He was one of the greatest musicians and figures in the Arab world. He was a descendant to a royal family, and due to civil unrest, at a small age he left Syria for Egypt with his mother, brother, and sister. Farid learned music at a young age, and learned to play the Oud (lute) from his mother. Later he became the greatest Oud player over the world. He was one of the greatest singers and composers in the Arab world, and composed more than 300 songs for himself and for other singers. He also composed many instrumental works.

Farid was also a talented actor. He played the leading role in 31 movies and was famous all over the Arab world

Source article:

Egypt State Information Service