The Al Ain Classical Music Festival, which runs until March 16, will host the world premieres of ground-breaking concert pieces representing a unique mix of Arab and Western classical music.
The works - by the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra's Resident Composer, Daniel Barry - will be performed by the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra (UAEPO) in a March 10th concert in Al Ain's magnificently restored Al Jahili Fort.
The premieres include 'Arabian Sands' - a concert overture with distinct Arab themes - and five individual 'Arabesques,' which combine traditional classical repertoires with Middle Eastern overtones.
"These are truly unique pieces of work and will have appeal across all nationalities," said Philipp Maier, Founder and Conductor, UAEPO.
"Arabian Sands is a large orchestral production with percussion and full brass involvement but with a strong Arab music connotation while the Arabesques are emotive and descriptive pieces which will resonate with a cosmopolitan audience."
Daniel Barry will be on hand at the performance to witness the premieres of his works.
"He is extremely excited and we believe that the Al Ain Classical Music Festival is the most apt event at which to debut a new music genre," said Maier.
The Al Ain Classical Music Festival marks the international concert debut of the UAEPO which is made up of 19 different nationalities residing in the UAE including Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian musicians. Maier is hoping the festival brings local, regional and international recognition of the UAEPO.
"It is a major step forward for the UAE Philharmonic in terms of being recognised as the country's only full philharmonic orchestra. We hope that our participation will help to promote orchestral culture within the UAE and help us grow a full-professional national philharmonic orchestra, which the UAE so urgently needs.
"Our participation in this festival, which is the most important classical music festival in the country, is a logical step towards development of arts and culture in the UAE and especially featuring the country's own philharmonic orchestra which has such a great relevance to this country's society."
Maier founded the UAEPO two years ago as a means of promoting music education throughout the country.
"By building up the UAE philharmonic orchestra we will be able to improve dramatically the issues of music education, cultural development and integration of all parts of society. I also think the UAEPO also shows people that there is an enormous pool of creativity and talent here in the UAE which should be further developed and nurtured. Although we do not currently have any Emirati members of the orchestra - this is something we want in the long term - but we have to begin with education.
"I am extremely grateful, on a personal level and for the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, that the government of Abu Dhabi is taking an initiative to develop all art forms equally. I know from many concerts how grateful the public is, in general, to experience music which is created, and performed, by locally-based musicians."
The Al Ain Classical Music Festival is now in its 8th year and has this year been expanded to an 11-day programme from its previous 3-day event and takes in performances in both the Garden City of Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. The expanded programme has been developed in co-operation with Milan's renowned Accademia Teatro alla Scala.
The Al Ain Classical Music Festival Committee says its aim is to evolve the annual music extravaganza into a global event, ranking alongside some of the world's best, such as Salzburg.
Zaki Nusseibeh, Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) and festival committee chairman said the inclusion of the UAEPO was a move in the right direction in inspiring the country and the region, to embrace music as a prime element in cross-cultural dialogue.
"It is important that dedicated artists within our own society are given the opportunity to perform alongside some of the world's most eminent musicians - and this year's festival is providing this. We hope that the presence of the UAEPO will demonstrate to Emiratis, and other residents, that there are considerable outlets for talent within our own borders and that they should be supported wherever possible," said Nusseibeh.
The UAEPO's concert is open to the public, free-of-charge.
This year's Al Ain Classical Music Festival has also claimed other 'firsts' including the Arabian Gulf's first performance of Don Giovanni in Arabic.
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© Press Release 2008
