* By Ursula Watson * The Detroit News Master oud (Arabic lute) player Marcel Khalifé and poet Mahmoud Darwish were each truly moved by the other's vast talents.

Darwish saw Khalifé as his "heart's artistic twin." Khalifé felt Darwish's poetry had been revealed to him and for him.

Now Khalifé, who is Lebanese, pays homage to his Palestinian poet friend, who died in 2008, with a new album, "Fall of the Moon," released this month.

The album celebrates Darwish's poetry, which Khalifé expertly sets to music. Each song lilts effortlessly from classical and jazz to traditional Arabic music genres.

Khalifé, along with the Al Mayadine Ensemble, will perform his interpretation Friday at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. .

With the help of a translator, Khalifé e-mailed his thoughts on his music, Darwish and more.

What inspires you?

Life in all its beauty, its myriad complexities and, yet, its simplicity. I am inspired by poetry — not only in terms of putting a poem that touches me to song — but also by expressing a poem in music without the lyrics.

I find inspiration in literature, poetry, art, human experiences, people, nature and, of course, love in all its forms. In short, humanity andthe human conditionis myinspiration.

Even before you met Darwish, you were deeply moved by his work. When did you first read his poetry?

In 1976, during the Lebanese civil war, I was confined to my home in Amchit, Lebanon, because my leftist political views were not to the liking of the dominant political party in my hometown. I was reading a new published poetry book by Darwish. I wanted to try to put it to music and song, some of his poems that touched me deeply. My first lyrical release, "Promises of the Storm," was based on his poetry. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would spread like wildfire throughout the Arab world, from the Middle East to North Africa. Within a year, I found myself with my ensemble performing in front of audiences. "Fall of the Moon" is in tribute to his legacy, humanism and prophetic poetry.

What do you think Darwish would feel about the Arab Spring?

I have no doubt that he would be very supportive of the Arab revolutions. The poetry of Darwish spoke volumes to the aspirations of the Arab peoples for freedom, dignity, human rights for themselves, their country and future generations.

uwatson@detnews.com

(313) 222-2613

Marcel Khalifé

8 p.m. Friday Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts 350 Madison St., Detroit Tickets: $28-$113 Call (313) 887-8501 visit www.musichall.org