Biography
Born in Syria in 1906 and passing away in 1981, Omar Naqichbendi was a highly regarded soloist of the Arabic lute (ouḏ/ʿūd). He is best known for his LP Luth Traditionnel en Syrie – ‘Ud (released in France in 1974 on the Arabesques series) which demonstrates his masterful improvisations in the tradition of maqām‐based taqāsīm.
His recordings, made in Damascus in 1972–73, were hailed for bringing the classical Syrian ‘ūd idiom to a Western audience via the Pathé-Marconi/EMI label.
Read full biography ↓
Naqichbendi’s style is characterised by deep reverence for the modal tradition of the Levant, with rich ornamentation, careful rubato, and a thoughtfulness that bridges the old courtly lineage of the ṭablakhān and modern recording realities. Although biographical details remain sparse, his LP and subsequent CD issues have ensured he remains an important name in Arabic instrumental music—especially among students and collectors of the ‘ūd.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.