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Okba, Amr (b. 1972, Algiers). Algerian-born Egyptian composer of mostly orchestral, chamber and piano works that have been performed in Europe and the Middle East.
Mr. Okba studied piano as a child and music theory at Helwan University in Cairo from 1989–93, where he also studied business administration and economics. He studied composition with Mohamed Abdel-Wahad Abdel-Fatah and Rageh Daoud and music theory with Awatif Abdel-Karim and Ahmed El-Saedi at the Conservatory of Music in Cairo from 1994–98 and there graduated with distinction. He also studied composition privately with Mauro Bortolotti in Rome in 1999–2000. He studied composition with Reinhard Febel and music theory with Franz Zaunschirm at the Salzburg Mozarteum in 2002–03 and has studied composition with Detlev Müller-Siemens at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna since 2002, on a scholarship from the ÖAD-Stiftung.
Among his honors are a prize in the competition of the Ministry of Culture in Cairo (1999, for Suite for String Orchestra [withdrawn]), the Egyptian Rome Prize (1999–2000, for Pictures of the Nuba [withdrawn]) and a commission from the organization Musik der Jahrhunderte (2006, for The Book of Going forth by Day). His music has been performed in Austria, Egypt, Germany, and Italy, including once at the ISCM World New Music Festival (2006, Stuttgart).
He is also active in other positions. He directed the ISCM Global Interplay seminars in Cairo in 2005–06 and organized its music festival in Cairo in 2006.
He has lectured on music theory at the Conservatory of Music in Cairo since 2000.
CONTACT INFORMATION
E-mail address: amrokba@gmail.com
Cellular phone (Austria): + 4369 9119 67992
SELECT LIST OF WORKS
ORCHESTRAL: Rhapsody, cello, large orchestra, 2001
CHAMBER MUSIC: Rhapsody, 2 celli, double bass, 2000; Suite, bassoon, 2000; Solo for Violin, 2002; Sextet, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, wooden wind chimes, 2003; Solo for Harp, 2003; Trio, violin, cello, piano, 2004
VOCAL: The Book of Going Forth by Day (1 act concert opera, libretto by the composer, after the Egyptian Book of the Dead: Spell 99), mezzo-soprano, tenor-speaker, bass-speaker, actor-speaker, large orchestra, CD, 2006
PIANO: Suite, 2000; Wassertropfen, 2003
ELECTROACOUSTIC: Atmosphere No. 1, CD, 2005; Atmosphere No. 2, CD, 2005
(Last updated on September 26, 2006)
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