New York Philharmonic, Philharmonia of London, Vienna Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Schsische Staatskapelle Dresden and Mahler Chamber Orchestra to perform in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Opera programming includes a Wagner Opera Gala performed by the Bavarian State Orchestra and acts from Verdis La Traviata and Rigoletto performed by the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice
Second Abu Dhabi Classics season expands education programs and childrens concertsĮ
The second Abu Dhabi Classics season will open on Friday, October 23 with a sold-out concert by the New York Philharmonic and Music Director Alan Gilbert at the Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi. The second season will present classical music concerts in the United Arab Emirates cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with a focus on presenting core repertoire and expanded education activities. The season runs through May 2010.
Abu Dhabi Classics is the first year-round and most significant performing arts series in the Arab world. Last year, the inaugural series of concerts attracted 35,000 people. Under the patronage of H. E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, the series is presented by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and forms a central part of the Authoritys cultural vision for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Every season, between October and May, indoor and outdoor venues host concerts by top international classical music stars and ensembles. In partnership with some of the most distinguished music institutions in the world, Abu Dhabi Classics is also initiating various education programs that take place under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Classics Academy and include affiliations with local schools, universities and other institutions.
The New York Philharmonic and Music Director Alan Gilbert will make their United Arab Emirates debut performing Beethovens Piano Concerto No. 4 with soloist Emanuel Ax and Mahlers Symphony No. 1 on Friday, October 23 and then perform Brahms Violin Concerto with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Beethovens Symphony No. 7 in Al Ain on Saturday, October 24. In addition to the New York Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra from London and the Vienna Philharmonic will make return visits and all three orchestras will present childrens concerts. Concerts will also be presented by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Schsische Staatskapelle Dresden.
Visiting artists during the 2009-10 season include violinists Anne-Sophie Mutter and Frank Peter Zimmermann, pianists Emanuel Ax, Christoph Eschenbach and Kit Armstrong, percussionist Evelyn Glennie, and conductors Lorin Maazel, Seiji Ozawa, Myung-Whun Chung, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and John Fiore. Program highlights include the continuation of the cycle of Mahler symphonies, the start of a Beethoven symphonic cycle, family events, childrens concerts as well as a Valentines Day gala concert. (Full program details and schedule follow.)
Opera programming includes a Wagner Opera Gala presented by the Bavarian State Opera, conductor Thomas Hengelbrock and soloists Petra Lang, Klaus Florian Vogt, and Venices Teatro La Fenice returns to perform acts from Verdis Rigoletto and La Traviata with conductor John Fiore and soloists Ramon Vargas, Franco Vassallo, Nino Machaidze and Julia Gertseva.
The partnership between Abu Dhabi Classics and the existing Al Ain Classics series, under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, continues to expand significantly. In addition to the Al Ain Classics Festival in March 2010, Al Ain will host the New York Philharmonic, Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under conductor Daniel Harding and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg during the upcoming season.
H. E. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, said: The association between Abu Dhabi Classics and Al Ain Classics is of significant strategic importance. Underlining the unique role of the scenic oasis city of Al Ain, this artistic association will assist in creating international visibility for Al Ain, the heritage pearl of the UAE.
We are thrilled to once again present a concert season of internationally renowned ensembles and musicians in the United Arab Emirates, said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). The first Abu Dhabi Classics season was enthusiastically embraced by audiences and showed that we have a big audience for quality classical music performances.
ADACH Director of Arts and Culture, Abdullah Al Ameri, pointed out that Abu Dhabi Classics represents the determination and persistence of the UAE capital to make art, music and culture part of everyday life, and to become a leading center in the cultural world.
Executive Director Till Janczukowicz said: Classical music or a classical composer is not the property of a single nation. Germany does not own Beethoven, France does not own Ravel. All nations have clear responsibilities of safeguarding the traditions of their composers, but in the end, all these geniuses have contributed to a universal language that is understood internationally. This series is a great cultural opportunity in a globalized world.
Referring to the mission of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Classics, Mr. Janczukowicz emphasized the importance of the core repertoire: In order to set substantial ground for a sustainable musical life, it is essential to present the core classical and romantic repertoire performed by the best possible musicians. It is a vital role of Abu Dhabi Classics to expose and promote an honest and deeply human language that goes as Beethoven said directly from heart to heart.
Music lectures, round-table discussions and pre-concert talks will enhance the concerts and give audiences the opportunity to find out more about the music being performed.
For more information about Abu Dhabi Classics, a full schedule, travel information and tickets, visit
www.abudhabiclassics.comABU DHABI CLASSICS 2009-10 season
October 2009
Fri, Oct 23, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
Conductor: Alan Gilbert
Soloist: Emanuel Ax, piano
Program:
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
MAHLER Symphony No. 1
Pre-Concert Talk
Title: The Titan Mahlers Symphony No. 1
Venue: Emirates Palace
Time: 6 pm
Sat, Oct 24, 10.30 am - FREE
Emirates Palace Auditorium
YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERT WITH MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
Conductor: Daniel Boico
Host: Theodore Wiprud
Program:
Works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and more.
ĮKidzone project: try out the instruments Starts at 9:30 am
Sat, Oct24, 8 pm
Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain
Presented as part of the Al Ain Classics Festival
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS - THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC IN AL AIN
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
Conductor: Alan Gilbert
Soloist: Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Program:
BRAHMS Violin concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7
November 2009
Fri, Nov 27, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS FROM FRANCE
Orchestra: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France
Conductor: Myung-Whun Chung
Program:
RAVEL Ma Mre lOye (full version)ĮBERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique
Sat, Nov 28, 7 pm
Abu Dhabi Theatre
STARS OF TOMORROW
Young instrumentalists of the renowned St. Petersburg Music School
Program: works by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Ravel and others
December 2009
Sat Dec 5, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS CLASSICAL MOZART AND ROMANTIC BRUCKNER
Orchestra: Schsische Staatskapelle Dresden
Conductor and soloist: Christoph Eschenbach, piano
Program:
MOZART Piano Concerto A major KV 414
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 4 Romantische
Pre-Concert Round Table Discussion
Title: Romantic Music in Germany - What is Romantic Music?
Participants: Prof. Peter Ruzicka (Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Martin Huber (Hagen)
Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Lefebvre (ENS Paris)
Venue: Emirates Palace
Time: 6 pm
Sun Dec 6, 6 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SAINT NICHOLAS CONCERT A MUSICAL FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN
Orchestra: Schsische Staatskapelle Dresden
Narrator: To be announced
Soloists: Students from the Abu Dhabi Classics Academy
Program:
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Overture
Leopold MOZART Childrens Symphony
Sergej PROKOFIEV Peter and the Wolf
January 2010
Thurs, Jan 14, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS MOZART & BEETHOVEN
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Soloist: Kit Armstrong, piano
Program:
MOZART Piano Concerto K. 271 Jeunhomme
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5
Fri, Jan 15, 6 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
DISNEY IN CONCERT
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Allan Wilson
Narrator: Paul Rissman
Choir: Abu Dhabi Childrens Choir
Program: Disney in Concert
Sat, Jan 23, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
MAGIC OF THE VIOLIN ANNE SOPHIE MUTTER
Soloists: Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Daniel Mller-Schott, cello
Lambert Orkis, piano
Program:
MOZART Trio KV 502 B flat Major
Andr PREVIN Piano Trio
MENDELSSOHN Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor Op. 49
February 2010
Sun, Feb 14, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
VALENTINES GALA
Program to be announced
Mon, Feb 15, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS LORIN MAAZEL & THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC
ĮOrchestra: Vienna Philharmonic
Conductor: Lorin Maazel
Program:
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6
DEBUSSY La Mer
RAVEL Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2Į
Tues, Feb 16, 10.30 am - FREE
Emirates Palace Auditorium
THE VIENNA PHILHARMONICS YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERT
Conductor: Lorin Maazel
Program: BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6
March 2010
Tues, Mar 2, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS SEIJI OZAWA CONDUCTS MODERN CLASSICS
Orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Seiji Ozawa
Programme:
MOZART Divertimento
BARTOK Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet
Fri, Mar 5, 8 pm
Al Jahili Fort
Presented as part of the Al Ain Classics Festival
SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS IN AL JAHILI FROM THE NEW WORLD
Orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Daniel Harding
Soloist: Fazil Say, piano
Programme:
BERNSTEIN Candide OvertureĮGERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
DVORAK Symphony No. 9 From the New World
Pre-Concert Talk
Title: Antonn Dvork and the New World
Venue: Al Ain / Al Jahili Fort
Time: 6 pm
April 2010
Sat, Apr 17, 8 pm
Al Jahili Fort
Presented as part of the Al Ain Classics Festival
THE MAGIC OF OPERA IN AL JAHILI
Orchestra: Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La FeniceĮConductor: John Fiore
Programme: The most beautiful opera choirs and overtures
Pre-Concert Talk
Title: Maria Callas and La Traviata: History of a magic relationship
Venue: Emirates Palace
Time: 6 pm
Sun, Apr 18, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium Į
MAGIC OF OPERA - GIUSEPPE VERDIS LA TRAVIATA & RIGOLETTO
Orchestra: Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice
Conductor: John Fiore
Soloists: Ramon Vargas, tenor
Franco Vassallo, baritone
Nino Machaidze, sopranoĮ Julia Gertseva, mezzo-soprano
Programme:
VERDI La Traviata Act II
VERDI Rigoletto, Act III
Thur, Apr 29, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
WAGNER OPERA GALA
Orchestra: Bavarian State Orchestra
Conductor: Thomas Hengelbrock
Soloists: To be announced
Programme: Excerpts from Tannhuser, Fliegender Hollnder, Meistersinger von Nrnberg and more.
Pre-Concert Talk April 28 & 29
Title: Richard Wagners Myths
Venue: Emirates Palace
Time: 6 pm
May 2010
Fri, May 14, 7 pm
Abu Dhabi Theatre
LISTEN THE WORLDS FOREMOST SOLO PERCUSSIONIST
Concert and Masterclass called experience rhythm, experience listening with Evelyn Glennie, the worlds first solo percussionist.
ĮSat, May 15, 8 pm
Emirates Palace Auditorium
THE BEST OF BRITISH GALA
Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra
Conductor: Keith Lockhart
Programme: The Best of British Gala including popular favourites from the Last Night of the Proms.
Tickets for Non-UAE and NON-GCC residentsĮAbu Dhabi Classics Ticket OfficeĮc/o Triad Berlin Projektgesellschaft mbHĮPhone
+49 (0)30 23 60 78 444ĮFax +49 (0)30 23 60 78 381Į
e-mail abudhabiclassics@triad.deĮ
www.abudhabiclassics.comTickets for UAE and GCC residentsĮOnline ticket sales available at
www.timeouttickets.comĮPhone Toll Free within the UAE 800-4669ĮBOX OFFICE: Virgin Megastores
Subscription packages are available. For more information please email subscription@abudhabiclassics.com
Labels: Abu Dhabi Classics