Maestro Lorin Maazel Commands the First Performance of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Doha

Maestro Lorin Maazel Commands the First Performance of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Doha

High quality images of the concert are available

DOHA, Qatar, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly formed Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performed for the first time on Thursday night, marking the start of an ambitious plan of musical revival in Qatar.

Under the baton of world renowned conductor Maestro Lorin Maazel, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, the orchestra performed Beethoven's Symphony No.5 and Maurice Ravel's Bolero. This was followed by the world premiere of Arabian Concerto, a specially commissioned piece by Lebanese composer Marcel Khalife.

The first performance of Qatar's new national symphony orchestra was attended by the royal family of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. The concert was also broadcast live regionally.

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is an initiative of Qatar's flagship organization the Qatar Foundation. The development of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is aimed at encouraging greater appreciation of classical music in the region and inspiring the reemergence of orchestral Arabian music.

One hundred and one professional musicians from around the world comprise the orchestra which will be based permanently in Doha. Following their inaugural concert, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will perform from a wide range of genres - both traditional local Arabian and well known music from the Western classical repertoire.

"Tonight's performance realizes Qatar Foundation's investment in arts and culture. Rather than just import cultural brands, Qatar wants to build its own institutions" Dr. Saif Al Hajari, Vice-Chair, Qatar Foundation said at the performance.

"We are proud to have attracted such talented and world class musicians to Doha to play in this unique orchestra." Dr Saif continued.

The establishment of a national symphony orchestra in Doha supports Qatar's strong commitment to cultural development and to raising awareness of the rich Arabic tradition of music. There are plans for the symphony orchestra to be joined by an affiliated Arabic orchestra which will play traditional instruments such as Oud, Ney and Riq. There are also plans for the development of a music academy alongside the orchestra which will foster local and international talent.

Managing Director of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Kurt Meister was elated with the opening performance of the orchestra and welcomed the opportunity to work with Maestro Maazel in Qatar.

"Our intention is to become a truly international orchestra of the highest standard so we are delighted to have such a renowned conductor as Maestro Maazel working with us on our very first performance." Mr. Meister said.

"I am more than pleased with the performance and look forward to bringing Qatar more engaging music programs from this very talented group of musicians," continued Mr. Meister.

Along with Qatar's other cultural development projects, such as the much- anticipated Islamic Art Museum, the Orchestra hopes to further enhance appreciation for classical music and the arts in the region and firmly place Qatar on the world's classical music stage.

The second performance of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will be 31st October. This performance will be conducted by Maestro Andreas Weiser.

High-quality images and more information about the Orchestra is available at http://www.4shared.com/dir/10058926/950c4ba8/sharing.html

About the Qatar Foundation:

Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people.

The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting- edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.

For more information please visit: http://www.qf.org.qa/

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Source: Qatar Foundation

CONTACT: Omar Chaikhouni of Qatar Foundation, +1-974-686-4192, or Carla
Liuzzo, +1-974-686-6379, or Elina Lehtinen, +1-974-589-5016, both of Bell
Pottinger Middle East

Web site: http://www.qf.org.qa/

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Profile: International Entertainment