El-Dabh, Halim (Abdul Messieh)

El-Dabh, Halim (Abdul Messieh), Egyptian-born American composer; b. Cairo, March 4, 1921. He studied piano and Western music at the Sulcz Cons, in Cairo (1941–44), then went to the U.S. in 1950 on a Fulbright fellowship, studying with Aaron Copland and Irving Fine at the Berkshire Music Center at Tangle-wood and taking graduate degrees from the New England Cons, of Music and Brandeis Univ. In 1961 he became a naturalized American citizen. He taught at Haile Selassie Univ. in Ethiopia (1962–64), Howard Univ. (1966–69), and Kent State Univ. (from 1969), where he later also was co-director of its Center for the Study of World Musics (from 1979). His compositions reveal Afro-Arab influences, especially in their rhythmic structures and their incorporation of unusual percussive devices. He publ. The Derabucca: Hand Techniques in the Art of Drumming (1965).

Works

DRAMATIC Clytemnestra, epic dance drama (for Martha Graham; 1958); The Egyptian Series: Lament of the Pharaohs, Pyramid Rock to the Sky, Gloria Aton, and Prayer to the Sphinx for Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1960); The Islamic Series: Allahu Akbar, Al- khaheera, Ya Leiyly, Saladin and the Citadel, and The Nile for Voices ad libitum and Orch. (1960); Theodora in Byzantium (1965); Black Epic, opera-pageant (1968); Opera Flies (1971); Ptahmose and the Magic Spell, opera trilogy: The Osiris Ritual, Aton, the Ankh, and the World, and The 12 Hours Trip (1972–73); Drink of Eternity, opera-pageant (1981). ORCH.: 3 syms. (1950, 1952, 1956); Concerto for Darabukka or Timpani and Strings (1954); Fantasia-Tahmeel for Darabukka or Timpani and Strings (1954); Bacchanalia (1958); Tahmeela for Flute and Chamber Orch. (1958–59); Nomadic Waves for Double Wind Orch. and Percussion; Unity at the Cross Road; Concerto for Darabukka, Clarinet, and Strings (1981); Rhapsodia egyptiabrasileira (1985). OTHER: Chamber music; piano pieces; choruses.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire