Maya Youssef is hailed as ‘queen of the qanun,’ the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Maya’s intense and thoughtful music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and flamenco styles. It explores the emotional and healing qualities of music. For her, the act of playing music is a life- and hope-affirming act and an antidote to what is happening, not only in Syria, but across the world.
Her latest tour Finding Home is a journey through memories and the essence of home both within and without. The music, deep and visceral explores the full sonic textures of the qanun and for this concert Maya will be accompanied by a string quartet from Opera North. The music from her latest album of the same name is about finding that place of peace, that place of softness, comfort and healing which manifests in everyone in a unique way from finding home in nature to the people who make us feel that sense of relief and peace.
The Finding Home album is supported by Arts Council England and PRS Women Make Music Award.
“This is a celebration of culture as much as a holding fast of all that is good” ★★★★ – The New Internationalist
