(b. 1972, Algiers).
Egyptian composer, born in Algeria and now resident in Austria, of mostly chamber 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 Helwan from 1989–93, where he also studied business administration and economics. He studied composition with Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah and Rageh Daoud and music theory with Awatif Abdel-Karim and Ahmed El-Saedi at the Conservatory of the Academy of Arts in Cairo from 1994–98 and there graduated with distinction. He also studied composition privately with Mauro Bortolotti in Rome in 1999–2000. He later studied composition with Reinhard Febel and music theory with Franz Zaunschirm at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg in 2002–03 and studied composition with Detlev Müller-Siemens at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna from 2002–09, where he earned his master's degree with distinction, on a scholarship from the Österreichische Austauschdienst-Gesellschaft.
Among his honours are a prize in the competition of the Ministry of Culture in Cairo (1999, for Suite for String Orchestra [withdrawn]), the Egyptian Rome Prize (1999–2000, for Pictures of the Nuba [withdrawn]) and the Staatsstipendium in composition from the government of Austria (2008). His music has been performed in Austria, Egypt, Germany, and Italy, including once at the ISCM World Music Days (2006, Stuttgart).
He is also active in other positions. He directed the seminars Global Interplay of ISCM in Cairo in 2005–06 and organised its music festival in Cairo in 2006.
He lectured on music theory at the Conservatory of the Academy of Arts in Cairo from 2000–06.
He has lived in Austria since 2006.
SELECT LIST OF WORKS
ORCHESTRAL:
Rhapsody, cello, large orchestra, 2001
Charon-Pluto I, large orchestra (76 players), 2009
Etappe, small orchestra, 2011 (also version for large orchestra, 2012)
CHAMBER MUSIC:
Rhapsody, 2 cellos, double bass, 2000
Suite, bassoon, 2000
Solo for Violin, violin, 2002
Sextet, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, wooden wind chimes, 2003
Solo for Harp, harp, 2003
Trio, violin, cello, piano, 2004
Isis and Maria, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 2 violins, viola, cello, percussion, 2007
Message, trumpet, 2 violins, cello, piano, 2008
String Quartet, 2010
Integration, flute, violin, viola/cello, piano, 2010
Utopia, clarinet, 2012
Utopia, harp, 2012
CHORAL:
Adid, 4 female voices, 2009
VOCAL:
The Book of Going Forth by Day (concert opera in 1 act, libretto by the composer, after spell 99 from the Book of the Dead), mezzo-soprano, tenor–speaker, bass–speaker, actor–speaker, large orchestra, fixed media, 2006
For the sake of Allah! I deserve nothing less than glory, 4 speakers, ensemble of instruments from the Middle East, ensemble of Western instruments, 2009
PIANO:
Suite, 2000
Wassertropfen, 2003
Solo for Piano, 2010
ELECTROACOUSTIC:
Atmosphere No. 1, fixed media (2 tracks), 2005
Atmosphere No. 2, fixed media (2 tracks), 2005
Steps, fixed media (4 tracks), 2008
Unpacking, fixed media (4 tracks), 2008