In classical Andalusian music, the piano—an instrument of Western origin—occupied a lowly position, and it is said that Skandrani’s performance style, which he essentially pioneered, led to his works being treated as heretical. The reason for this was that, prior to his time, solo piano performances were unheard of in Andalusian music concerts, and the very idea of performing “Istiqbal” (a style of Andalusian court music) on the piano would never have occurred to anyone else; it is said to have caused quite a stir at the time.
Algerian classical music is characterized by the fusion of Andalusian court music—which originated with the Arab-Islamic dynasties of Spain—and Turkish classical music, and it has also been influenced by Western, indigenous African, and Jewish traditions, resulting in a distinctive blend of Eastern and Western cultures. “Istiqbal” is a prelude to the court music suite form known as “Nauba” (or “Nouba”), and it exists in several modes (forms). In this work, a single mode is first played and presented as the theme, followed by variations to form a set; the piece includes a total of nine sets of modes. The accessible charm of this work lies in the way Oriental, Western, and African elements elegantly intersect on the keyboard; the sounds woven from the piano move as if traveling back and forth between the East and West, forming a single delicate thread.

=CD Edition=
＋Standard jewel case, 8-page booklet, obi strip
＋English and Japanese liner notes