Cairo-born, longtime Sydney-resident oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros has reimagined the range of music accessible to his instrument, the ancient Middle-Eastern lute.

Steeped in traditional Arabic music (his grandfather was a respected composer, oud player and violinist) but also an avid collaborator with a diverse array of musicians, he draws equally on jazz and folk styles in a kaleidoscopic celebration of his instrument.

His debut at the Proms embraces traditional Arabic taqsim (improvisation) and maqam (pieces based on traditional scales) as well as his own compositions, and the world premiere of a BBC commission by Australian composer Jessica Wells.