Mohsen Subhi

"In the act of performance, Mohsen would wrap himself around the belly of his oud – holding on to it as much as holding it – close his eyes, and let handplectrum- fingers-string-nerves-fleshwood fuse into a continuum of vibrations, which entrances as it grips the listener in its resonance." (p.57).

Mohsen composed, arranged, (re)interpreted and performed music for television, plays, films and live audiences. After receiving a grant to record his second classical Arabic music (instrumental) CD, Mohsen Subhi (also known as Abu Kinaan) died as a result of an unfortunate accident on August 2, 2009 in Ramallah. He was buried in Al-Bireh.

On August 2, 2009 Mohsen Subhi died in Ramallah as a result of an accident. Mohsen was buried in Al-Bireh (see the daily Al-Quds August 3 through 7th, 2009 and September 10, 2009). His latest (and last) classical Arabic music (instrumental) CD will be released in the near future. The October 2009 issue of This Week in Palestine "shar[ed] words rushed by his untimely departure" ([8] pp. 56–57)

In 2006, the Lebanon-based independent record label Incognito released Mohsen Subhi's instrumental, Mawasem [Seasons], the first compilation of his renowned composition of oud pieces, accompanied by bass, cello and piano (featuring Antoine Lammam - percussions). [3]. In Mawasem, explains Jihad Touma, "Subhi starts in maqam, in a circle widening with revelation, proceeding to a point where, necessarily, commentary falls short." (translated from Arabic from the backcover of Mawasem). Touma continues,

Commenting on Mawasem, Rabih Z wrote in the June 2006 issue of Time Out Beirut:

Mohsen Subhi has a very personal way of playing the oud, due to his previous experience as a percussionist and his subtle assimilation of Indian, African and Mediterranean influences. The album has received popular and critical acclaim in Lebanon: It is difficult not to fall helplessly in love with Mohsen Subhi's bewitching album Mawasem. Subhi's masterful oud playing is akin to a mystical art, making this CD breathtaking listening. (Rabih Z, Time Out Beirut, June 2006).

He also taught percussion and/or Oud to children and adults through institutions, schools and private lessons in Ramallah and Jerusalem (Palestine) as well as Boston (1997–1999) and later on, San Francisco (U.S.)

While serving as the Music Director of the Palestinian National Music and Dance Troupe (El Funoun) in Palestine, [1] Mohsen composed the music to their popular production “Zaghareed” (also Zaghareet) Ululations in 1997. [2]. Mohsen's reinterpretation and rearrangement of traditional Palestinian folkloric wedding songs was choreographed and danced by the internationally recognized Palestinian dabkeh group, El Funoun Dance Troupe and performed starting 1997. Zaghareed could be best described as "an artistic work that combined authenticity with originality, traditional raw material with more modernistic dance components, and finally a very Palestinian theme with attributes that carry a universal appeal.".

Mohsen Subhi played buzuk and percussion with the Ramallah-based group, Al-Rahhala including its 1988 "Raseef al-Madeena".

Mohsen Subhi (Arabic: محسن صبحي ‎, also, Mohsen Subhi Khalil AbdelHamid Ataya) (October 4, 1963 – August 2, 2009) was a Palestinian composer of classical Arabic music and arranger of modern Palestinian music and folk song.

A master oud player and percussionist, Subhi was born in Ramallah, Palestine on October 4, 1963, where he established himself as a young musician, composer, performer and teacher. He moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1997 and continued living and working in Palestine, the United States (Boston and San Francisco) and Jordan.