Ibrahim Maalouf performed last night at Rabat’s Royal Theater in a concert dedicated to the second volume of his Trumpets of Michel-Ange album. In front of a packed and enthusiastic audience, the Franco-Lebanese trumpeter delivered a lively performance filled with calls for joy and dancing throughout the show. A César Award winner and two-time Victoires de la Musique winner, as well as a two-time Grammy nominee, Maalouf is continuing a unique family legacy through this project: the quarter-tone trumpet, invented by his father in the 1960s. Before taking the stage, he spoke to Le360 about that legacy and his upcoming projects, including a new album recorded as a duo with his wife, singer Hiba Tawaji.
Le360: You are performing tonight at Rabat’s Royal Theater to present your album Trumpets of Michel-Ange. What is your first impression of the venue?
Ibrahim Maalouf: I just walked through the doors and I’m impressed, starting with the architecture. I deliberately avoided looking at photos because I wanted to experience the place for the first time in person, even though some people had sent me pictures. Without any particular expectations, I didn’t imagine it would be this avant-garde. The design, the structure, the interior layout... everything is remarkably modern. And at the same time, you immediately notice the extremely precise acoustic work that has gone into it. It’s a wonderful surprise.
«More recently, I created Les Trompettes de Michel-Ange to carry on my father’s teachings. He developed an instrument that incorporates quarter tones, allows musicians to perform the full range of maqâms and opens the door to tarab — a state of musical ecstasy unique to Arabic music, with no equivalent in the West.»
— Ibrahim Maalouf
The album centers on the idea of passing on a legacy, particularly your father’s quarter-tone trumpet, which he invented in the 1960s. Where does that effort stand today?
It has been part of my daily life for years. I started teaching at 17 at various institutions before developing larger projects such as the Free Spirit Ensemble, a classical orchestra focused on improvisation. More recently, I created Les Trompettes de Michel-Ange to carry on my father’s teachings.
He developed an instrument that incorporates quarter tones, allows musicians to perform the full range of maqâms and opens the door to tarab — a state of musical ecstasy unique to Arabic music, with no equivalent in the West. My goal is to introduce as many people as possible to the instrument and to the values of tarab. The Les Trompettes de Michel-Ange album embodies this entire journey.
César, Victoires de la Musique, Grammy nominations, film scores, high-profile collaborations... How do you see the next chapter of your career?
I have never viewed my career as a predetermined or obligatory progression. I prefer to embrace whatever life puts in my path. Moments of joy allow me to express what lies deep within me and pursue my artistic ambitions while staying grounded. Difficult times, on the other hand, teach me to become stronger and protect myself so I can keep moving forward. My only wish for the years ahead is to continue this musical journey with the same passion and to experience the generosity of audiences again.
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You have just released an album with your wife, singer Hiba Tawaji. When will the two of you perform together in Morocco?
We would love to perform there. Morocco is a cultural crossroads, a very open country where French-speaking culture has a major presence. A project like ours, called À la française — though it could just as easily have been called À la francophone — would naturally resonate there. We’ll be touring from November through March, with a show at Salle Pleyel in Paris on May 20. I really hope we can arrange a stop in Morocco. Hiba has an exceptional voice. She has always sung in Arabic, and this is the first time she has performed in French, which adds a new dimension. I’m especially happy that we were able to create this together.
