A home
An elegant house in the Medina of Marrakech, at the end of a lane in the emblematic district of Mouassine, now houses the Museum of Music. For a long time it was the family home and also studio of the Moroccan painter Abdelhay Mellakh who was born in 1947.
In this house the vocation of this painter has grown. He is now a key figure of abstract painting. He says: “If my body is in Casablanca, my mind has always been in Marrakech, where I was born. Everything in me is related to childhood. The colours, the pains, the dreams.”
His paintings, true variations and symphonies of light, signs and bright colors, still find their place here, in harmony with the instruments, voices, percussions that resonate in the spaces of the house.
The atmosphere is so soft. The journey is delightful and quiet. From step to step, we discover the house and a douiria (ceremonial lodge) upstairs. Here used to live a Moroccan family: parents looking after their children who could also cheer in the courtyards and alleys of this peaceful neighborhood. They could receive their friends, organize receptions and, without doubt, concerts. It is also the place where a painter, in his studio, let his creative power overflow.
And let the music be!
From painting to music, there is only one step. Having established a Museum of Music in this house seems to be taken for granted.
Of course, the visit is also very informative. The museum tour introduces visitors to different musical genres, rituals that make Morocco and some other African countries vibrate.
A beautiful collection of instruments, explanatory panels, documentary films, photos and headphones allow you to see and hear a whole world of mesmerizing or thrilling sounds.
The lute, (oud), the rabab with strings, the flute (nay) give their placid colour to the noble Arab-Andalusian music, Al-Ala, from the poetic melhoun.
The drums (tbel), tambourines, derboukas (taârija) and bombardes (lghita), the crotales (qarqabous), the gembri, offer their frenzied rythms or support the voices of popular music.
Hadra, Aita, Gnawa, Dakka, Aissawa… all these musical forms or spiritual rituals are presented to the listener’s curiosity.
A furnished terrace, overlooking the Medina, welcomes visitors. A mint tea, a snack will be welcome while the echo of the music, heard before, still turns.
To make the experience even more immersive, the Music Museum organizes concerts in the central lounge on the floor. Three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:00 pm. Music hours may be followed by dinner.
Information, booking with Riad Dar Taliwint.
Links:
https://museedelamusique.ma/
http://www.youtube.com/@mellakhabdelhay9501
