UAE composer Ihab Darwish to lead symphony of 128 musicians around the world

It’s historical past within the making because the Abu Dhabi Competition preps for a musical stage that can stretch throughout the globe and join 128 musicians in a by no means earlier than seen symphony efficiency led by an Emirati composer.

As a part of the year-long hybrid digital programme, below the theme The Future Begins Now, ‘Hekayat: Symphonic Tales’ will characteristic Emirati composer Ihab Darwish taking the result in choreograph 13 compositions performed by 128 musicians in 20 international locations all over the world on March 30.

This historic efficiency goals to seize the musical traditions and cultures of each continent. Hekayat, which suggests tales in English, makes historical past as the primary efficiency of its sort by an Emirati artist. In a marvel of technological sophistication, the performers, recorded individually of their international locations, will seem collectively as one orchestra on the stage of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Auditorium.

Darwish brings collectively a powerhouse group of worldwide musicians, together with Krakow’s acclaimed Beethoven Academy Orchestra, performed by maestro Tomasz Tokarczyk, VOX Chamber Choir, tenor José Cura, virtuoso musicians Sara Andon, Kodō, Carlos Piñana and Kinan Azmeh.

With musicians, performers and the orchestra filmed individually in 21 cities all over the world, the symphony required 675 zoom periods and 86,600 man-hours of planning and manufacturing. The person performances have been synchronised digitally, and revolutionary post-production know-how positioned all 128 artists on a digital 3D mannequin of the stage.

“Ihab Darwish’s ‘Hekayat’ international premiere is an extraordinary global journey of symphonic music in which artists from all corners of the world come together in the composer’s universal message of peace and cultural understanding, that seamlessly aligns with Abu Dhabi Festival’s mission. Through innovative technology, Abu Dhabi Festival is thrilled to present its second commission of Ihab’s work as a unique virtual production to audiences globally,” Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founding father of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Basis and Inventive Director of Abu Dhabi Competition, mentioned in an announcement.

“I am constantly experimenting with different genres, instruments, and time frames in music. The experimental nature of Hekayat is inspired by my inherent hope for a better future and belief in shared human values,” acknowledged Darwish, including: “Since my first engagement at Abu Dhabi Festival, the format of performances has been transformed by the pandemic, and yet music’s profound emotional impact and power to soothe are more important than ever. As a unique virtual event, Hekayat will be accessible to all audiences around the globe, which is a great advantage.”

Darwish is the primary Emirati composer in his style to have his music distributed by worldwide writer Common Music MENA and first visitor composer of the Beethoven Academy Orchestra. He specialises in composing classical music, that includes distinct Western, Arab and Khaleeji fusions, which has turn out to be his signature model. In ‘Hekayat’, he additional develops this model with exceptionally distinctive instrumental, musical and vocal fusions.

The efficiency might be accessible on the Abu Dhabi Competition website from March 30 till April 11.