Lebanese composer, 'ud master and singer Marcel Khalife was awarded the 2007 Grand Prize of the prestigious L'Académie Charles Cros in the World Music Category. L'Académie Charles Cros is the French equivalent of the US Recording Academy (NARAS, who give the Grammy Awards). The award was given in recognition of his latest work Taqasim, which Khalife dedicates to his friend the renowned Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
 
 Taqasim is an all instrumental composition for 'ud, double bass and percussion, featuring Peter Herbert on bass and Bachar Khalife on percussion.

Taqasim  is released by Nagam Records/Connecting Cultures labels. The work was critically acclaimed and well received by music critics as well as audiences worldwide.

L'Académie Charles Cros was established in 1948 and named after the acclaimed French poet and inventor Charles Cros. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the award. The ceremony took place at RADIO FRANCE in Paris on November 30th, 2007. This award came in the wake of the completion of Khalife¹s successful 24 cities US and Canada tour, in which Taqasim  was the opening part of his performances through out the tour.

Buy Taqasim.