The musicians during the concert.
LONDON: The world premiere of new works by prominent Qatari and British composers featured in a concert held on Monday at Cadogan Hall in London as part of Qatar UK Year of Culture 2013.
Barry Wordsworth conducted the evening’s special guests: British violinist Chloe Hanslip and Royal College of Music (RCM) alumnus and resident of Qatar, pianist Amira Fouad, with percussionist Gary Kettel.
The evening included the world premiere of several new pieces of music by Qatari film music composer Wael Binali and British composer David Heath with two special pieces dedicated to the Year of Culture: Hope Springs Eternal and Journey to the Oasis.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), said: “We believe that culture is a powerful tool, and Qatar UK Year of Culture 2013, as part of the QMA Cultural Diplomacy Programme, is giving us the opportunity to further promote cultural dialogue and build bridges between societies and communities in both countries.”
Amira Fouad, Artistic Director of Qatar Music & Arts, Qanas Productions, who also performed, said: “I have always enjoyed working with international musicians to foster a cultural exchange. We were delighted to be able to bring together two eminent composers from Qatar and the UK, Wael Binali and David Heath, in this collaboration exchanging musical ideas to produce unique and powerful music, honouring other cultures and religions.”
Binali’s Earth, as well as The Oryx and the Unicorn had their world premieres with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). His Journey to the Oasis featured several of his works arranged and linked together by Heath.
“It’s an honour to be part of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture Musical Celebrations and to have my music performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,” said Binali.
Heath said: “I have been on an eight-year mission to promote friendship and understanding between the religions by honouring faiths other than my own in my music. My piano concerto commissioned by the English Chamber Orchestra and Amira Fouad, El Hedeiya - The Gift, honours both Arabic and Western traditions whilst my new choral and orchestral work Hope Springs Eternal generously commissioned by Qatar UK 2013, honours spirituality and hope.”
The audience also heard the Royal College of Music Vigala Singers perform Handel’s majestic Zadok the Priest. The concert ended with RPO’s performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March.
RCM Director, Colin Lawson hosted the concert’s Pre-Show talk. He was joined on stage by Heath and Joy Hill, Musical Director of the RCM Vigala Singers.
The pre-concert talk highlighted the ways in which the QMA continues to partner with world class educational institutes of learning, including the RPO, composers and musicians.
The Peninsula
