“Known Caller”

New Release by Mahmoud Abuwarda

We are thrilled to announce the release of Known Caller,” a poignant and evocative piece for solo cello composed by Mahmoud Abuwarda and performed by the renowned Norwegian cellist Bård Bosrup. This composition delves into the deeply layered and visceral realities of life in Gaza Strip, inspired by an emotionally charged experience shared within the artist collective, Dahaleez.

The piece captures a moment of profound significance and translates it into a musical narrative that resonates with universal themes of tension, loss, and resilience. By channeling the collective memories and emotions of those living in Gaza Strip, “Known Caller” serves as both a tribute and a powerful reminder of the human capacity to endure and find hope in the face of adversity.

The Music

“Known Caller” was conceived during a workshop where the collective, Dahaleez, gathered to capture and express the layered emotions of our environment. The spark for this composition came from a powerful and harrowing experience: listening to a recorded phone call from the Israeli army, instructing a resident to evacuate their home before it would be bombed. This event stirred profound responses, particularly from my colleague, Rehaf Al-Batniji, who shared a similar phone call warning her own family to leave their home before it was destroyed.

In “Known Caller,” the cello becomes a vessel for these collective memories, evoking the sound of a call laced with tension, uncertainty, and heartbreak. The first part of the piece conveys the surreal and ominous atmosphere surrounding these calls, echoing the devastation and loss that follow. In contrast, the second part reflects Rehaf’s personal memory and the group’s collective response, capturing a blend of sorrow, nostalgia, and the lingering weight of unresolved questions.

Musical Exploration

Through fragmented phrases and unanswered musical “calls,” “Known Caller” brings forth a soundscape where each note reflects the pain, memory, and resilience of those who face such moments. This composition seeks not only to honor those experiences but also to ask—within each unanswered call—who we become in the face of such unimaginable realities.

The structure of “Known Caller” is meticulously crafted to mirror the emotional journey of those affected by these harrowing phone calls. The piece begins with a series of dissonant, unsettling motifs that emulate the jarring intrusion of such calls. As the piece progresses, these motifs evolve into more melodic yet fragmented phrases, symbolizing the struggle to find coherence and solace amidst chaos. The use of silence and pauses throughout the composition further accentuates the theme of unanswered calls and unresolved questions, allowing listeners to feel the weight of anticipation and dread. The final passages of the piece shift to a more reflective tone, blending sorrow with a haunting sense of resilience, ultimately leaving the audience with a profound contemplation on the enduring human spirit.

About Bård Bosrup

Bård Henrik Bosrup is a Norwegian cellist who made his debut with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in 1992 in connection with his Soloist Diploma Concert at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

He has been principal cellist with the Magdeburgische Philharmonie and the Robert Schumann Philharmonie. Bosrup has also visited a number of German orchestras as a soloist and solo cellist. He tours regularly with, among others. Concerts Norway, and has a number of solo projects with Bach, Reger, cello suites. Also, a separate Bach program with electric cello. Chamber Music in Different Contexts, Romanticism and Tango Program for Cello and Piano, Guitar/Cello Duo. In 2011, his first solo CD was released with Romantic Music for cello and piano.

Listen Now

We invite you to experience “Known Caller” and immerse yourself in its powerful narrative. The recording is now available for streaming and purchase on all major music platforms. Stay tuned for upcoming performances and events featuring this poignant work.

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Mahmoud Abuwarda and the Dahaleez Collective express our deepest gratitude for your support and look forward to sharing more impactful art with you.