A melody can sometimes emerge from the imagination as vividly as a scene from a dream. For Lebanese composer Ghazi Mikdashi, that moment of inspiration came through an unusual vision of walking across a desert, moving so effortlessly that his feet never touched the sand. That experience became the starting point for ‘Remal’ a composition shaped by imagery, imagination and the creative freedom of music.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Mikdashi spent much of his life exploring different forms of artistic expression. His background as an architect sits alongside an extensive body of musical and theatrical compositions, spanning children’s musicals, puppet shows, theatre productions, neoclassical works, contemporary music and Arabic compositions. He is also a published author of science-fiction and adventure stories, reflecting an imagination that reaches beyond a single creative discipline.
Music played an important role in Mikdashi’s artistic journey, particularly during the difficult years of the Lebanese Civil War. His musical and theatrical productions in the 1970s and 1980s offers moments of warmth, smiles and hope to audiences facing the daily realities of conflict. That history adds another dimension to his work, demonstrating how creative expression can provide comfort and connection during challenging times.
The inspiration behind ‘Remal’ came during one of Mikdashi’s daydreams. Recalling how the melody first entered his mind, he describes seeing himself walking smoothly through a desert without touching the sand beneath him. The unusual image stayed with him, eventually developing into the musical idea that inspired the composition. Rather than beginning with a conventional narrative, the piece grew from a personal vision and the feeling it created.
With ‘Remal’ Dr. Mikdashi offers a glimpse into the imaginative process behind his compositions. The desert vision provides a distinctive starting point, connecting the physical landscape with the freedom of an idea unfolding in the mind.
