Joseph Tawadros - Betrayal of a Sacred Sunflower (2019)

BIOGRAPHY
At 34, Joseph Tawadros is established as one of the world’s leading oud performers and composers. A virtuoso of diversity and sensitivity, Joseph performs in concert halls worldwide and is known for his brilliant technique, deep musicianship and joyous style of performance.

His drive to push musical boundaries has led to many collaborations with significant performers and a solid repertoire of innovative, original music. He has recorded 14 albums – Storyteller, Rouhani, Visions, Epiphany, Angel, The Prophet: Music Inspired by the Poetry of Kahlil Gibran, The Hour of Separation, Band of Brothers, Concerto of the Greater Sea, Chameleons of the White Shadow, Permission to Evaporate, Truth Seekers, Lovers and Warriors, World Music, Live At Abbey Road and The Bluebird, the Mystic and the Fool. Joseph has received 12 nominations and achieved four ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards – in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for Best World Music Album – and as a contributor to the Ali’s Wedding soundtrack album in 2017.

Joseph’s 2018 album, released in April, is The Bluebird, The Mystic and The Fool.

Born in Cairo, and a resident of Sydney since he was 3 years old, Joseph was nominated for Young Australian of the Year in 2014, received the NSW Premier’s medal for Arts and Culture in the same year and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (AM) for his services to music and composition in 2016.

Joseph is acknowledged for expanding the oud’s notoriety in mainstream western culture and has also been recognised in the Arab world, appearing on the judging panel of the Damascus International Oud competition in 2009, and taking part in Istanbul’s first Oud festival in 2010.

He has toured extensively, headlining in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East, and has collaborated with celebrated artists such as Zakir Hussain, Sultan Khan, Béla Fleck, John Abercrombie, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Richard Bona, Roy Ayers, Joey DeFrancesco, Howard Johnson, Jean Louis Matinier, Ivry Gitlis, Camerata Salzburg, Christian Lindberg, Neil Finn, The Grigoryan Brothers, Kate Miller-Heidke and Katie Noonan. He has performed and recorded with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and the Academy of Ancient Music in London, making him the first and only Australian composer whose music has been performed by this prestigious orchestra. He has regularly performed with the Sydney, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony orchestras.

Joseph is currently based in London, UK but travels often to perform including Australian tours each year. Highlights in 2017 include performing his own works with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms in Dubai and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s premiere Joseph’s Concerto for Oud & Orchestra. He finished the year touring with the acclaimed violinist, Valeriy Sokolov, and the Morphing Chamber Orchestra in Europe and the Ukraine National Chamber Orchestra in Kyiv.

In 2018 Joseph performs in Australia and Japan with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and his own band then returns to London for a solo oud recital for the BBC Proms. Joseph is the first world music artist to present a solo concert of original contemporary music for the Proms.

In 2019 Joseph will present his Concerto for Oud & Orchestra with Sydney Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras.

Tracklist:
01. Joseph Tawadros - Dear Sunflower (5:27)
02. Joseph Tawadros - Forget Me Not (4:35)
03. Joseph Tawadros - Slowly Wither (4:02)
04. Joseph Tawadros - Light Rain (4:25)
05. Joseph Tawadros - Hymn in F (2:20)
06. Joseph Tawadros - Drift with Me (3:23)
07. Joseph Tawadros - Think Before You Speak (5:28)
08. Joseph Tawadros - Confusion (1:12)
09. Joseph Tawadros - On The Flipside (5:11)
10. Joseph Tawadros - Through the Motion (1:53)
11. Joseph Tawadros - Ever so Still (4:18)
12. Joseph Tawadros - The Sun Still Shines (3:55)
13. Joseph Tawadros - Smile for Me (4:44)
14. Joseph Tawadros - Hope is Sacred (3:52)
15. Joseph Tawadros - Twinkle (3:33)
16. Joseph Tawadros - The End of it All (7:26)