A Journey Through Music, Style, and Wisdom.
In this exclusive interview for CiiN magazine, we delve into the multifaceted world of Abdullah Khalaf, a distinguished musician, academic, and artist whose life is a captivating composition of music, education, and fashion. Abdullah’s journey from childhood fascination with classical compositions to a Ph.D. that beautifully intertwines piano performance, politics, and philosophy reflects his transformative artistic evolution.
He defines his music as a profound expression of identity, aiming to help others become better versions of themselves through its emotional depth. Beyond music, Abdullah’s artistic sensibilities extend to fashion, emphasizing individuality and alteration over trends. He’s currently embarking on a new piano music project close to his heart, and his appreciation for literature, especially “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari, enriches his perspective. Italy, particularly Rome, holds a special place in his heart, with Bernini’s sculptures serving as a profound source of inspiration.
Abdullah’s life is a testament to the power of simplicity, as reflected in his favorite quote: “Simplicity is the final achievement” by Frederic Chopin. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to CiiN magazine for allowing him to share this lesser-known facet of his captivating personality, and through this interview, we witness the harmonious symphony of his life’s diverse passions and talents.
Who is Abdullah Khalaf? How would you introduce yourself to a stranger?
Well, it depends on the situation and the circumstances of the meeting, so if am meeting a stranger in a music conference, I will be presenting myself as an academic focusing on my research interests and academic profile. But if I am meeting a stranger in a café or friends gathering, my name will be enough as a start.
But now to answer your question from a deep more philosophical perspective the answer will go as the following: I am a son to a great mother who made me the person I am today, a musician who live through music and who wishes to help people be better version of themselves by the help of music.
Please tell us about your education.
My music education started in high school as a hobby, which then made me change my major from microbiology at Kuwait university to music education at PAAET. My passion for music did not stop after obtaining my bachelor’s degree, as I embarked on a journey abroad: first at Kingston university to do my master’s degree on Piano performance and then the University of Southampton to write a PhD thesis that connects piano performance, politics and philosophy under one topic.
Do you remember your first encounter with piano? What made you love the piano?
Classical music was at my time as a child a favorite choice for cartoon shows makers to use as soundtracks. I recall scenes from the Smurfs and Tom and Jerry where they used the music of Beethoven and Mozart to highlight specific dramatic events. In particular, I remember using the third movements of Beethoven’s moonlight piano sonata in one of the episodes of the Smurfs which made me look it up. Of course, it was not that easy to look up a piece of music that you have heard only once in a TV show without the help of the internet. That’s why It took me almost 5 years to hear it by coincidence in school music concert. I was fascinated by the effect classical music left on me. The technical skills, the harmonic progression and its effect on every inch of my body, the dynamic of the music and beauty of the instruments sound changed me as a person forever.
How would you describe your artistic career so far?
Transformative, and that is the beauty of music, it can take you to places you never thought about going to. I started as a pianist, then a music researcher and a teacher, then a composer and now I think I am a mix of all these music related fields that are integrated together to create the voice of Abdullah Khalaf’s music. Also, to answer your question from an a academic point of view, I started as a teacher, then an assistant professor, and now I am an associate professor.
How would you sum up your music in three words and why?
I consider music as the voice of which through it I express my identity, my feelings and my contribution to society.
What has helped you stay on this path and not let other voices get you down?
The way it made me feel about myself. Through music I experience an indescribable feeling of satisfaction, and it makes me feel alive as a human being. Music also made be a better person and it helped me deal with other people more professional.
Can you explain professionally how music helped you become a better person?
Well, if we want to be better in any field or anything in life, we must practice it, right? So, to be better human beings we must understand our emotions so well and learn how to deal with them, and we must understand other people emotion so we can deal with them in a more considerate way. Music, I belief, provide us with a safe environment in order to practice our emotions without hurting others or hurting ourselves, and thus it helps us on improving our emotional intelligence which is the key for better life. If I play a piece of music that takes me on a journey of quietness, anger, speed, technical challenges, delicacy and more, these different emotional experiences will affect our body physically. For example, you heart rate will go up and down according to the music, your mind will clear up or get confused, your muscles will relax and tense depending on the music passage. All these previous emotional episodes will require your ability to control them and thus control your own body reaction to these changes. This is a magical experience that will help you understand the best way to control your own emotions and you will find yourself applying them in real life situation. And once we understand our own emotion, we will finally be able to start understanding other people’s emotions and what they are going through. This will make us more compassionate and considerate to other people’s emotion and might also give us a chance to help them.
If you could play any other instrument, which would you choose and why?
Nothing specific, but I will choose an instrument that I can carry with me because every time I travel, I miss my piano.
How do you find the titles for your pieces?
I usually compose music for the sake of music, and titles comes in later stages. I lean toward choosing titles that can help spreading awareness of a humanistic themes, like the sad case of the Stateless, the Less Fortunate Ones, Elegy to Palestinian Children and Ahimsa to name a few.
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
If I can help one person to feel better, then I consider myself successful.
When and who inspired you to the world of fashion?
I don’t think my affection to fashion happened at a specific time or through someone, rather, it is the result of an accumulated knowledge and appreciation to art. I think my love of visual art, music, nature and even films, all contributed to shaping my fashion taste. At the end of the day an artist should have an artistic taste, even if it was focused on one particular branch of art, still it will give him this extra sense that can penetrate all his decisions even if it happened subconsciously.
Where do you find your inspiration and how do you apply it to your own personal style?
I think I find them in the mirror. I choose what suits me the best and not what is trendy at the time. I never follow trends; I prefer to look like Abdullah and pick the things that identify me the best. In general, I think my style is classic but with a bit of a modern twist, all presented in the simplest possible way. And of course, sometimes I see models or movie stars wearing a style that I like, but I try to be inspired by it and not copy it.
What is your favorite fashion brand and why?
There isn’t one specific brand that I like the most. I like suits from specific brands, and polos from others, and streetwear from others and so on
How many ties do you own?
That is the hardest question in this interview so far.
If you had to name one thing, what would be your favorite thing in your wardrobe right now?
My suits collection from SUITSUPPLY UK.
What advice would you give men just becoming interested in fashion and beginning to define their style?
Do not try to look like someone else, we are all different and what suits me might not look good on other people. So, understand your body and pick things that fits your personality. And the secret recipe here is Alteration. Ready to wear items are not made specially for you, so make it your own by applying small changes and tapering your clothes to fit you best.
What current and future projects are you most excited about?
I am shooting a new piano music soon and I am so exited about this project because I think this new piece is the closest to my heart of all my previous compositions.
What books have changed your life the most?
Reading in general changed my life. For me, reading is the ability to learn from the brightest thinkers while laying on my sofa. Imagine reading ideas written by the best contributors of every field that exist. This is why I find it very hard for me to choose one book that influenced my life. However, if you want me to suggest a book for the readers I would go with: (Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari).
What is your favorite country to visit and why?
Italy, especially Rome. It has culture, art, music, history and great food. And it houses the works of one of my favorite sculptures ever Bernini.
Why Bernini?
Aside from his Devine sculpting skills, I love the fact that his sculptures freeze the climax of myths and stories. For example, just by looking at The Rape of Persephone you can tell the whole story. I also like the themes of his works which are related to Greek and Roman mythology.
What is your favorite quote?
“Simplicity is the final achievement” by Frederic Chopin.
Your message to us at CiiN…
Thank you for giving me the chance to share with your readers this unknown part of my personality.
Photography: Ali AlSairafi (@alsairafiphotos)
