Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Arooj Aftab and Ibrahim Maalouf

Arooj Aftab and Ibrahim Maalouf
BBC Proms 2025 at the Royal Albert Hall

This is a prom I have eagerly anticipated, as I am already a fan of Arooj Aftab's music, which I find deeply meditative. I first heard her song Raat Ki Rani on the radio about a year or two ago, and it prompted me to see her live in Manchester last autumn.

But first it's time for Ibrahim Maalouf, whose music I have never heard before. It's another 'capacity crowd' at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, and it quicky becomes clear why. Maalouf's music is energetic, and sounds great, particularly with support from the orchestra. He gently encourages some audience participation, and I wish I was there in the hall to soak up the atmosphere. I will now be on the lookout for any local tour dates he may have. Some of his later pieces remind me of Miles Davis-esque jazz. Apparently he has nineteen albums out, so it's bizarre how I have never heard of him before! 


Once again, during the interval I take the opportunity to wash the dishes. A bigger task than last night because I have made an effort tonight to cook myself a tasty stir fry. A recipe from one of Joe Wick's cookbooks (side note: big fan of his cook books - loads of tasty recipes for one!). As a time-filler on the radio, we are played a Arooj Aftab/Anouska Shankar collaboration, and the Shankar prom is another one I am very much excited for (more on that when it happens). What a pairing in Aftab/Shankar - cannot wait to discover more of their collaborations.

Image: Tonight's stir fry, by me.


For the second half, I simply let the music play and wash over me. I transition from the kitchen to the living room Hi-Fi, and I get my wish that Raat Ki Rani is played. All of it is sublime. It's transcendent. I could go on but I don't want to use up too many superlatives this early in the season.
 

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