DREAMS OF KABUL

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Khaled Arman studied Persian and Indian music at home from an early age, with his uncle. He also studies tabla with several tabla masters in Kharabad, the famous artists quarter of Kabul. His father teaches him classical guitar and he quickly becomes a virtuoso guitarist.

He starts his formal classical guitar studies at the Prague Music Academy, and in 1986, he wins the first prize at the Radio France International Guitar Competition, in Paris. This prestigious award gives him the opportunity to perform as classical guitarist all over the world, in repertoires ranging from Baroque to contemporary music.

In the 1990s Khaled Arman decides to gradually come back to his musical roots, and starts playing the Rubab, an Afghan luth instrument. He quickly becomes renowned internationally as one of today’s most prominent Rubab players. He founds the Kabul Ensemble, a group devoted to performing music of Afghanistan, Persia and India.

Celebrated across the globe as one pf the most important folk and popular groups, this ensemble now regularly performs on tour in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Maghreb countries.

Born in Kabul into a family of musicians, Mashal Arman shows an exceptional talent as a singer, from an early age. She is accepted to the Bern School of Music, and later to the Geneva School of Music, receiving diplomas in both vocal arts and flute, before traveling to New York to continue her musical studies. Her passion for sacred works from the Baroque and Classical repertoires leads her to numerous performances of works such as the Requiem and The Great Mass by Mozart, the Stabat Mater by Pergolesi, Rossini, and Dvorák, as well as the St. Matthew Passion by Bach.

Mashal Arman is invited to perform with the renowned conductor Michel Corboz and the Lausanne Vocal Ensemble, as well as with the Gli Angeli Ensemble. At the Lausanne Opera, she sings the role of the Child as part of a production of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges by Maurice Ravel, the Servant in Aladin and the Miraculous Lamp by Nino Rota, as well as Roggiero in Tancredi by Rossini. Passionate also about contemporary music, Mashal Arman takes part in many contemporary opera productions.

Wishing to preserve the musical traditions and artistic treasures of her country, Afghanistan, she starts performing with her brother’s group, the Kabul Ensemble. With this unique group, she sings on tour in numerous international festivals, also creating a fascinating dialogue between the worlds of Baroque and Afghan music.

She has performed on many occasions with the viola da gamba master Jordi Savall, bringing together a variety of repertoires.

Released by the Ambronay label, her latest album, Ashenayi, is a unique journey between Baroque music and folk songs from Afghanistan and Persia.