Gad Tidhar

This is a mesmerizing journey through ethereal melodies and intricate rhythms. Inspired by the interplay of nature and mythology, the album blends Middle Eastern, Balkan, and world music influences, showcasing the oud, ney, and percussion in perfect harmony. Each track invites listeners into a dreamlike realm, evoking the timeless connection between the ocean’s depths and the moon’s gentle glow. It’s a soulful exploration of storytelling through sound, capturing both the mystery and beauty of the natural world.

After a solo album and three albums with Faran Ensemble, Gad Tidhar releases his second solo album, "The Observer", a fully instrumental album of the desert instrument—the oud.

The playing style and compositions are unique to Gad. They do not represent any of the musical traditions typically associated with the instrument but echoes them and bring a new and authentic voice and tone to the world of music.

In his album, Gad steps beyond the boundaries of the 'World Music' genre and moves closer to the realms of rock and acoustic folk, with delicate, professional, and impressive playing that is free from words open to interpretation.

Gad Tidhar’s music is a gateway that sends the listener into a deep, boundless internal experience. His unique mastery of the oud is evident in every note, allowing complete immersion in the listening experience.

In his creation, Gad excels in conveying stories and emotions without the need for words: clouds gliding from a desert cliff create a melancholic melody, and a butterfly's dance towards the fire turns into precise string plucking. Nature and reverence for it live and resonate throughout the album.

Gad Tidhar has lived and worked in Mitzpe Ramon for over a decade, and the ten compositions that make up the album were inspired by its landscapes, and wonders.

Fata Morgana, FARAN's second studio album, was recorded live in February 2016 at Shoham Studios in the Galilee. All compositions on the album are original, inspired by nature and human emotions, and present our new discoveries in our ongoing journey.

This is a pure oud album. It takes the listener into the instrument, through the strings, where he finds himself inside a great ship of the desert. You fly across canyons and over mountains. I decided to record the album because I listen to a lot of music, but only rarely find albums featuring oud without large ensembles, albums where the oud is dominant and prominent, and out of my love to the sounds of the instrument I have spent many years with.

This is Faran Ensemble’s first studio album, simply titled Faran, recorded in 2012. The independently produced album comprises of seven original compositions, four of them featuring guest musicians. It was reviewed in the September 2014 issue of Songlines Magazine, published in the UK.