1896-1958
A pioncer of musical playing and composition in Iraq. He was born in Mosul. He studied music and entered the Ottoman military band. After 1918 he was appointed a teacher of music. He conducted the first chorus to the music of the army in 1923, and studied music at the Teachers College in Baghdad in 1925. He sbtained a diploma in music from Britain in 1931. He founded the Music Institute in the Ministry of Knowledge in 1936, and became its first director. He worked as a supervisor of music in the Al Zuhur Palace radio station in 1936. He also formed and led the first Iraqi symphonie band in 1941. His works include: Principles of Theoretical Music’ 1931, Patriotic and Nationalistic Anthems 1945, and “The Fundamentals of the Leadership of the Orchestra’. One of his unprinted books is Records of the Chaldean Liturgical Hymns’, 1956. He was a deacon and leading performer and composer of Chaldean liturgical hymns, and he recorded his first two phonographic dises for (His Master’s Voice) company in 1931, including four hymns. Three of which were Karozotha Dihasha’, ‘Qum Shappeer’, and “Qissat Kiyasa.’ His musical compositions included (Eastern Arlondo-for violin and piano 1936) and (Musical Reflections-for wind band and symphonic band 1941.).
