Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performing at the Qatar National Convention Center. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) is set to captivate audiences with two concerts in September, showcasing a fusion of musical genres and paying homage to Western orchestral music, Gulf folk, and the timeless opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet.
The performances, namely “Gulf folk meets the Philharmonic” and “Bizet’s Carmen,” will take place on September 2 and 15, respectively.
The “Gulf folk meets the Philharmonic” concert was initially introduced in 2022. This groundbreaking musical masterpiece skilfully combines Western orchestral music with traditional Gulf folk genres.
The objective of this innovative performance is to both elevate and preserve the essence of Gulf music.
The concert will once again be conducted by the immensely talented Kamoliddin Urinbaev, hailing from Uzbekistan. Urinbaev, who is also the founder, artistic director, and chief conductor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, will be leading the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra on September 2 at the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre in Souq Waqif.
Deputy Executive Director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Dr. Nasser Sahim revealed to The Peninsula that Urinbaev will return to Qatar to conduct his brand-new composition.
The piece aims to establish a harmonious link between the musical heritages of Qatar and Uzbekistan. Dr. Sahim enthusiastically shared details about the new composition, stating, “I made Roh Al Maqam, this is where I was combining both cultures’ heritage, Qatar Arabian Maqam and Uzbek Maqam. Maqam is a mood where we use it to make our compositions.”
Maqam, meaning “place,” “location,” or “position” in Arabic, refers to a system of melodic modes.
Last year’s “Gulf folk meets the Philharmonic” concert showcased the significance of Qatar’s maritime history. The performance incorporated elements of ‘Fijiri,’ a traditional musical form associated with pearl divers and the sea. Dr. Faisal Ibrahim Al Tamimi, a Qatari composer, director, and researcher in arts and Qatari folklore, led a traditional Gulf percussion group during the event, adding a captivating touch to the performance.
Dr. Sahim’s research study has unravelled substantial musical connections between Qatar and Uzbekistan.
Titled “Musical culture of Qatar and its links with Uzbekistan: History and Modernity,” the study shed light on the remarkable similarities in musicality between the two nations. Focusing on various genres, including social music from folklore and Maqam music, the research revealed a profound connection deeply rooted in the musical traditions of Qatar and Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, on September 15, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will present “Bizet’s Carmen” at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Auditorium 3. The opera, composed by French musician Georges Bizet, premiered on March 3, 1875.
With a libretto in French by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, “Carmen” introduced a new level of realism and quickly became one of the most beloved Western operas of all time.
The performance will be conducted by guest conductor Elias Grandy, promising an enthralling rendition of the iconic opera that features unforgettable songs like the “Toréador Song” and “Habanera.”
