Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) is gearing up for its upcoming 2023/2024 season with a distinctive musical event named “Gulf Folk meets the Philharmonic.”
Taking place on September 2, this concert will be held at the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre in Souq Waqif. The primary goal of this performance is to blend traditional Gulf folk music with the sounds of a Western orchestra, preserving and enhancing the unique cultural heritage of the Gulf region, QPO said on its Instagram post.
The concert will pay homage to Qatar’s rich maritime history, drawing inspiration from the art of ‘Fijiri’, a traditional musical style closely associated with pearl divers and the sea. Composed by Dr. Nasser Sahim, QPO Deputy Executive Director, and Dr. Amer Jaffar, this musical fusion will be led by the distinguished Uzbekistan Conductor, Kamoliddin Urinbaev.
This event marks the second time that such concert will happen, following last year’s performance in August.
Dr. Sahim highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting Gulf folk music, especially Qatari folklore, by emphasising that the QPO functions as a cultural ambassador of Qatar. Presenting the local music through orchestral direction not only showcases the nation’s themes and cultures but also acts as a bridge for cross-cultural understanding, he explained.
“It is very important for us to present something worthy and teach other communities about our themes, cultures, type of instruments that we use in our music. Qatar is developed financially as a country, and with all of these developments [economically, culturally], the musical culture is well equal to these developments.”
Moreover, an array of five other concerts has been lined-up for the following month. On September 15, Bizet’s Carmen concert will take place, featuring suites from the famed opera. The evening will culminate with Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C Major, a masterpiece known for its musical brilliance.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, scheduled for September 19, will feature melodies from Mendelssohn’s score for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, coupled with Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (Rhenish).
The compositions of Mozart and Beethoven will enchant the audience during “An Evening with Mozart and Beethoven” concert on September 24. The grandeur of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat for Violin and Viola will be brought to life by the Philharmonic’s concert master, Joo Young Oh, and principal viola player, Giovanni Pasini.
Bringing a touch of nostalgia, the Oldies Goldies concert on September 27 will revive hits from bygone eras, providing a trip down memory lane. Finally, on September 30, the audience can experience “A Night of Tchaikovsky,” which will showcase the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 5.
All concerts, except the September 27 Oldies Goldies event, will take place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Auditorium 3. The latter will be hosted at the Qatar National Library.
