Egyptian Art and Culture

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Mohammed Abdul-Wahab, Symphony of Eternity & Love

Abdul-Wahab himself was deeply influenced by the king of Arabic song, Sayed Darweish, not just for his talent in muscial composition but also for his enthusiasm and ambitious desire to rejuvenate and upgrade Arabic music. Unfortunately for Darweish, his life was too short for him to see this goal realized.

His songs and full Biography Download his songs

One of Egypt's most celebtared figures and master in the realm of music in the Arab world, Mohammed Abdul-Wahab was born on March 13, 1910 in Beini Aias village, Abou-Khear district, Al-Sharkia governorate. He was raised in a religious family in Baab Al-Sharea, a populous district in Cairo.

As a child, Abdul-Wahab showed a great liking for music. He started by copying, memorizing and singing the works of the most outstanding singers of his time, such as Salama Hegazi and Sayed Darweish.

He later joined the Arabic Music Institute, then worked as a music teacher in Government schools. During this time he used to sing as a soloist in public performances, and participated in private theatre troupes.

During his education, Abdul-Wahab was patronized and sponsored by poet-laureate Ahmed Shawqi. The poet wrote Abdul-Wahab special masterpieces in colloquial Arabic such as "At Night" and "He Who loves Beauty". As Shawqi was facinated with Abdul-Wahab's talent, he kept him in his company whenever he travelled to Europe or other Arab countries.

Although Abdul Wahab was an enthusiastic lover and advocate of Arabic music, he was also open to the great achievements of western music. Always striving for creativity and innovation, he managed to incorporate modern instruments into Arabic classical music for the first time. By travelling abroad, actively interacting with western music and using his personal talent, he managed to create a happy and homogeneous blend of past musical heritage and current cultural environment, mixing the music of East and West.

May 31, 1934 was a landmark in Abdul-Wahab's artistic career. This day marked the inauguration of the Cairo Radio Service, where Abdul-Wahab's first song "A Memory of love" was broadcast.

In 1925 the first record by Abdul-Wahab, "Playing Cards on the Terrace", appeared. Following Sayed Darweish's death, he took part for the first time in composing music for a musical play named "Cleopatra".

Abdul-Wahab composed more than 50 major pieces of music, the most famous of which were "My Life" ,"Feast Gift", "Aziza", "Eternal River", "My Brown Love", and "Joy". He also composed 257 songs, 163 of which he sang himself. These represent masterpieces of genuine Arab art. His last was the famous song "Don't Ask Why".

Much of his work was sung by other famous singers in both Egypt and the Arab World: Om Kalthoum, Abdul-Haleem Hafez, Sabah and Fayrouz to name but a few. Inspired by major national events in Egypt and the Arab world over more than half a century, Abdul-Wahab wrote several wonderful tunes on the events and moods of the times. His rich, expressive voice naturally reflected the feelings of Egyptians and other Arab nations on such occasions. His musical legacy contains many immortal songs such as "The Song of Struggle", "My Lovely Homeland", "Voice of the Masses", "Breeze of Freedom" and "Palestine".

Not only was Abdul-Wahab a singer and composer, but he was also an accomplished actor. He played leading roles in seven films, including "The White Rose", "Tears of Love", "Happy Day", "Love is Forbidden", "Bullet in the Heart", "I am not an Angel".

Abdul-Wahab was held in high esteem by both the public and his peers. In fact, his reputation, stature and prestige as an artist in the Arab World are unprecedented. Decorations, medals, and necklaces awarded to him by Arab and foreign countries remain as evidence to this fact.

On February 2nd, 1978 he was granted the Platinum Record Award, presented by E.M.I. Music Group only to distinguished artists who render cultural services to their countries. He was the first artist in Arab World to be awarded such a prize and only the third in the world following Maurice Chevalier and the French singer Audelte.

On May 4, 1991 he breathed his last. The peerless artist left behind a rich legacy of unforgetable and immortal pieces of music and song, all which are still widely enjoyed by both Egyptians and Arabs today.

**SIS.EG