Timeless Egypt: Egypt’s Legacy in Motion celebrates the soul of a nation whose music flows endlessly from past to present. Join Music in-Takht, founded and led by violinist Basma Edrees, on a journey through Egypt’s ever-evolving soundscape — from the enchanting beauty of classical takht traditions to bold new fusions with jazz, Irish, and Western classical influences.
The program features four exciting world premieres (two each by Basma Edrees and Moe Elshazly): Silenced Embers, an expressive new work by Basma as well as Nexus, a commission by The San Jose Jazz Aid Fund. Moe Elshazly will premiere Irish Sahlab a dynamic, genre-blending piece. Moe is an avid fan of the Sean-nós traditions of Western Ireland and Irish folk music more broadly. He has long mused that Irish and Arabic folk music, despite their different modal structures, share a common “soul” of appreciating melodic ornamentation and artistic expression. Irish Sahlab is an experiment in the fusion of these two musical tradition, and a small tribute to the music of Ireland that inspired Moe throughout his youth. It combines micro-tonal Arabic musical modes with Bodhrán-inspired rhythms and Irish fiddle ornamentations.
Sahlab is a popular hot beverage around the Mediterranean basin made out of milk and orchid tubers. The name is a playful reference to Irish coffee, where two seemingly disparate ingredients combine to produce a cocktail that exceeds the sum of its parts in both taste and potency.
New music such as the works offered in this concert embody Egypt’s living artistry — a culture that continually absorbs and transforms the many influences of those who have chosen to call it home.
Music in-Takht
Founded by Egyptian violinist Basma Edrees, Music in-Takht is an instrumental ensemble dedicated to sharing and preserving Egyptian musical heritage within the San Francisco Bay Area. The ensemble’s name, Music in-Takht, is a playful homophone that carries deep meaning. While it sounds like “Music intact,” symbolizing the preservation of music at its finest, it’s actually inspired by the word takht—the traditional ensemble of classical instrumentalists in Egypt and across the Arab speaking world. The ensemble members are devoted musicians who value the mission of this ensemble and with humility, hard work and confidence in their abilities they take on the responsibility of being amongst the “Keepers” of Egyptian musical culture within the San Francisco Bay Area.
More details, performer bios, and tickets online through SFIAF
Sunday, May 3 at 7pm
CMC Concert Hall
$20–$30
Tickets
CMC is proud to host performances in the 2026 San Francisco International Arts Festival April 29–May 10, 2026. The Festival brings together a global community of innovative artists and audiences through projects that foster exchange across cultures all throughout the Mission District. Join us in the Concert Hall and check out the full festival lineup here.