The UAENO’s inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January. Performances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will feature the acclaimed Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma and the Turkish qanun master Ayta\u00e7 Do\u011fan in a programme that aims to bring Arabic and Western musical traditions into dialogue, with regional instruments at the heart of the orchestral form. Amine Kouider conducts.<\/p>\n
The programme for Abu Dhabi:<\/p>\n
Alexander Borodin<\/strong> Prince Igor \u2013 Polovtsian Dances (oriental arrangement by Shakir Hassan) [interval]<\/p>\n Nadim Tarabay<\/strong> The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony for Orchestra and Choir<\/p>\n Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAENO’s Managing Director, described The Beginning as “more than a concert. It is a declaration of creative confidence and reflection of the UAE\u2019s belief that culture and music can unite us in pride and possibility … Through these performances, we are sharing a sound that belongs to this country, rooted in heritage, forward-looking in spirit and shaped through a blend of music between the East and West”.<\/p>\n Further performances:<\/p>\n \u2022 17 January Al Ain Municipal Theatre<\/strong>
\nErcan Saat\u00e7i<\/strong> Alisamadim for Qanun and Orchestra
\nSezen Aksu<\/strong> Kaybolan Y\u0131llar for Qanun and Orchestra (arr Abdel Aziz Shabakouh: soloist Ayta\u00e7 Do\u011fan)
\nNaseer Shamma<\/strong> Ishraq for Oud and Orchestra (arr Qoutayba Neaimi: soloist Naseer Shamma)
\nNaseer Shamma<\/strong> Journey of Souls for Oud and Qanun (arr Abdel Aziz Shabakouh: soloists Naseer Shamma, oud; Ayta\u00e7 Do\u011fan, qanun)<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 19 January Dubai Opera<\/strong>
\n\u2022 22 January Fujairah Cultural Centre Theatre<\/strong>
\n\u2022 24 January Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre Theatre<\/strong>
\n\u2022 29 January Sharjah Performing Arts Academy<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"