Interview: Virtuoso Oud Player Youssef Abbas Shares His Musical Journey

Youssef Abbas, the young Iraqi oud player, reveals his deep passion for Iraqi music and how he breathes new life into it through his unique performances.

Youssef Abbas, a true master of the Iraqi oud, shares his inspiring artistic journey and how he became one of the most prominent oud players of his generation. From Baghdad to Cairo, Youssef has enriched the Arab music scene with his magical touch.

*What was the first piece you played?

"The first piece I played was The Flying Bird. It is one of the most significant oud compositions by the esteemed Munir Bashir, and it is taught as an introductory piece at the House of Oud. 

Later, I played other pieces, including songs that we adapted into instrumental pieces, such as Men Gheir Leh by Mohamed Abdel Wahab, but with a different approach."

*Amar El-Sherei called you "The Miracle of the Oud." Can you tell us about your meeting with him?

My meeting with the great Amar El-Sherei was like a dream come true.

At the time, I was only 11 years old. I met him during his final years at a studio in the Dokki area. For me, he was a truly unique figure, especially in the realm of music and oud playing. He had established a distinctive school of thought within the art of oud, particularly in crafting a unique Egyptian style of playing.

The Egyptian school always had its special characteristics, but Amar El-Sherei left a remarkable imprint on it. I believe no one else has been able to replicate what he achieved.

Our initial meeting was spontaneous. Despite being a child in front of him, I never felt that he treated me with any arrogance or superiority. On the contrary, he respected everyone with genuine and renewed talent.

At that time, I played pieces he had composed, like the music from Raafat Al-Hagan. I performed them in a different style, which impressed him."