Istikhbars & Improvisations

Mustapha Skandrani, a luminary of Algerian music, created a distinctive fusion of Arabo-Andalusian and European styles. This 1965 solo piano album presents traditional Algerian vocal pieces called Istikhbars reimagined on the European piano—a bold choice that sparked debate among purists. Skandrani's approach alternates between each modal istikhbar and an improvisation based on it. His pellucid playing and precise rhythmic sense bridge two worlds, revealing the Mediterranean as a unifier rather than a barrier. The result is music of rare charm—Bach and Glenn Gould meeting Andalusian tradition.