Welcome to Wajdi Abou Diab official website
Wajdi Samir Abou Diab, Lebanese composer, born and raised in Lebanon, and curently based in Bahrain, my goal is to create timeless pieces that bridge the past and present through an emerging contemporary classical music style that I like to call “Contemporary Arabic Music”.
My musical compositions are woven with musicology, particularly focusing on the rich musical heritage of the Levantine and Middle Eastern regions. This deep connection enables me to infuse each piece with a distinct perspective that resonates with historical significance. Beyond the creation of aesthetically pleasing music, I view music as a powerful force that has the ability to shape our cultural landscape and forge deeper connections to our past.
Through my work as an educator, I strive to pass on my passion and knowledge to the next generation of musicians and ensure that Arabic contemporary music continues to evolve and thrive.
New world premiere STRING QUARTET NO.3 – [NADB] نَدْب
Performed by MIVOS QUARTET:
Olivia de Prato and William Overcash, violins;
Victor Lowrie Tafoya, viola;
Nathan Watts, cello
Recorded at Conservatorio Superior de Música “Joaquín Rodrigo” 2025 Valencia International Performing Arts Summer Festival 15 July 2025, Valencia, Spain
Audio and video by Emmanuel Berrido
BEST SELLER: Arabic Folk Tunes
This book is a collection of the most famous Arabic folk songs, chosen from all the Arabic regions. It aims to give the opportunity for the pianists to play and experience the beauty of the Arabic melodies and rhythms, in a simple arrangement that maintains the spirit of those songs and reflects the story of each one of them.
At the same time, this book gives Arabic music the chance to be performed on the most played instrument around the globe, lets it take a part in classical recitals and concerts, and helps Arabic traditional music to be heard and performed in cultures.
Last release [KHOUMASIYYATOUS-SABA] خماسيّات الصّبا
This song cycle for soprano and piano is based on a text by the Lebanese poet Said Aqel, taken from the Diwan titled “خُماسيّات الصّبا” (Houmasiyètouṣ -ṣaba). Commissioned by Les Musicales Du Liban World and premiered as part of Les Musicales Du Liban – Paris, November 17, 2024
Marie-José Matar (Soparno)
George Daccache (Piano)
Previous release Arabic Vertical Poems for Piano
16-track Album
Wajdi Abou Diab (composition)
Ramzi Hakim (piano, recording, mastering)
Bachar Hijazi (artwork)
Last Press release
THE DREAM (أي شمس تشرق وتبقى في موضع الشروق)
Chamber opera for two abroad sextets
“He masterfully succeeded in transposing Middle Eastern lyricism into the classical Italian operatic form”. The Gaetano Giani Luporini prize.
Concept & music by Wajdi Abou Diab
Arabic libretto by Zuhair Ghazali
English translation by Haneen El-Nakouzi
Animation by Shawqi Berro
Illustration by Mohammad El Alloush
Commissioned by Puccini chamber opera festival and theatre of Giglio
Latest Blogs
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ALAL MANE AL MANE [على الماني عالماني ] | CLARINET SOLO | FEAT. AMER HASAN
Èlèl Mani ’èl Mani [على الماني عالماني ]Opus 1 4H is a piece for solo clarinet, inspired by the Lebanese folk tune with the same name. Using the Sikah maqam and the Maksoum rhythm cycle typical for Lebanese folklore, the piece discovers the potential of the clarinet as an Arabic contemporary instrument, taking advantage of…
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Piano suite No. 1 – Oriental sketches
ٍPiano suite No. 1 – Oriental sketches (revised) (2023)– ca. 15′ A suite of six dances that reflects Arabic folk music in rhythms and scales, written for solo piano, then orchestrated for the Lebanese philharmonic orchestra. February 24, 2024 Lebanese premiere by Pianist Andrea Azzi, Beit Tabaris, Ashrafieh, LebanonApril 14, 2024 by Pianist Andrea Azzi, the…
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AZFAN MONFARIDAN
AZFAN MONFARIDAN (2014)For baritone, piano, flute, alto sax, viola, and cello – ca. 8′June 2014 Premiered in Beirut – Sen El Fil during the second annual concert of the composition department at the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of music Conductor – Garo Avessian Tenor – Ali Jawad Flute – Peter Földesi Alto sax – Raghid Jureidini…
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TWO LEIDER
TWO LEIDER (2014)For female voice and piano – ca. 11′Text by Zeinab Mawassi and W. Abou DiabOctober 23, 2022 Les nuits de Tabaris, performed by Soprano Lara Joekhadar and pianist Armen Kechek, Bayt Tabaris, Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.June 7, 2022 Les Musicales de Liban, performed by Beirut Contemporary ensemble, Cathédrale Notre Dame de Liban, Paris.June 5,…
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OURJOUHAT AL NOU’AS [أرجوحة النعاس]
On a text by Suzan Alaywan for Soprano, SA choir, and piano – ca. 7′ Commissioned by Soprano Dc. Reem DibVirtualy premiered on the composer YouTube channel by Soprano Rebeca Khoury, and Pianist Ramzi Hakim, choir by Lara Joe Khadar and Carla Khoury, 15 Sept 2023. Music and Video: Wajdi Abou Diab Poem: Suzan Alaywan…
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خماسيّات الصّبا [KHOUMASIYYATOUS-SABA]
Song cycle for piano and female voice on a text by Said Akel Commissioned by Les Musicales Du Liban November 17, 2024 World premiere as part of Les Musicales Du Liban – Paris, by Marie-José Matar (Soparno), and George Daccache (Piano) About the piece This song cycle for soprano and piano is based on a…
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