Hossein Pishkar
Doha: Qatar’s flourishing orchestra scene stands as a testament to the power of music to unite people from all walks of life. The country’s vibrant music culture has become a symbol of harmony and togetherness, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of unity among its residents. Hossein Pishkar, a prominent figure in the music community, has expressed his admiration for Qatar’s orchestra scene, describing it as one of the best cultural phenomena in the country.
Pishkar recognises music as a universal language capable of deeply connecting people, regardless of their diverse backgrounds. In a society where individuals may have distinct cultural, religious, and linguistic identities, the orchestra provides a common ground for individuals to come together, experience shared emotions, and connect on a profound level.
“Music, as a universal language, can bring people from everywhere deeply together. People who have totally different cultural, religious and language backgrounds could sit together and feel the same emotion and share it with each other. The unity which is created through music is a unique phenomenon,” he told The Peninsula.
The unity generated through music is an extraordinary phenomenon that deserves further development and nurturing. Pishkar emphasised the need to enhance and deepen this sense of unity, ensuring that it reaches and resonates with a larger segment of the population. To achieve this, Qatar’s orchestra segment must continue to evolve, expanding its reach and impact on society.
“The wonderful musicians of the orchestra come all from totally different parts of the world to create this outstanding unity through the music. I do have a lot respect for all of them, above all for Kurt Meister (Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra Executive Director) who was and is able to support and create this unity with care and love,” the award-winning conductor and musician said.
While the orchestra undoubtedly provides entertainment and joy, Pishkar stressed that its significance extends far beyond mere leisure. It is a profound representation of beauty, harmony, and human thought—a cultural contribution that should be revered as an indispensable necessity. The orchestra serves as a bridge between different cultures, inviting individuals to embrace diversity and celebrate the shared human experience.
“I deeply wish that this cultural contribution be understood as an untouchable necessity and not just as an entertainment and a joy (which is included in it anyway!) but the deepness of beauty, harmony and human thoughts goes far beyond that,” Pishkar noted.
Pishkar, an Iranian conductor, achieved notable recognition by winning the esteemed Deutscher Dirigentenpreis in 2017.
This international competition was organised in collaboration with Cologne’s prominent musical institutions and Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). Additionally, during the same year, Pishkar received the Ernst-von-Schuch-Preis, an annual award presented in partnership with the Dirigentenforum.
Pishkar has conducted various renowned orchestras and ensembles as a guest conductor.
These include the Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Bremer Philharmoniker, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Orquesta Ciudad de Granada, Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini, NDR Radiophilharmonie, and Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
