Amin Nasser: Complete Musical Works

Amin Nasser: C mplete Musical Works 1999
476 pages
NIS 80

Born in Ramleh in 935, Amin Nasser is one of the pioneers of music education in both Jordan and Palestine. Beginning his studies at Birzeit College (currently Birzeit University), he continued his higher education in Austria and Germany. He started his music career in Jordan through taking part in the establishment of the Jordanian Music Conservatory which he became head of for a few years, after which he returned to Ramallah and assisted in establishing the Palestinian National Music Conservatory which he also headed for a couple of years. Currently, he is coordinator of the music program at Birzeit University.

Dedicated to his cousin, martyr poet Kamal Nasser, this book compiles the author's compositions since 95 , already when he was still a high school student. As Rima Nasir Tarazi describes in her introduction, "Amin's compositions fall into three categories or genres: The national anthems, the art songs, and the classical compositions for the piano." Growing up in a family with deep national commitments, witnessing the horrors of the 948 war and exodus, and the tragic assassination of his cousin Kamal Nasser, Amin Nasser's music reflects his commitment to the aspirations of his people for a free homeland. " Many times in his life," comments Rima Tarazi, " Amin finds himself succumbing to long periods of despair and the inability to compose… Yet hope lures him on, and once in a while Amin goes back to the national anthem, his favorite musical form." Thirteen national anthems, 7 art songs, and 9 piano pieces constitute this book of 476 pages which is a unique contribution to the Palestinian tradition of composition which remains for the most part undocumented.

NOTE: In the June issue of This Week in Palestine we featured the "Atlas of Palestine" as book of the month. The price of the book was mistakenly quoted as $ 30 for individuals and $ 40 for institutions when the actual price is $ 40 for individuals and $ 50 for institutions. Apologies and corrections are due.