HE Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and the Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said: “In its 19 years, Abu Dhabi Festival has become a distinguished platform for renowned Arab artists to showcase their talent. Our commitment to supporting Arab artists abroad reflects our belief that art serves as a bridge connecting cultures and civilisations
As part of its 19th edition held under the theme ‘Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation & Joy,’ Abu Dhabi Festival presented Music for the Great Arab Poets, an enchanting concert by rising Syrian-American musician and composer Faraj Abyad at Merkin Hall in New York City on Sunday, February 27.
H.E. Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and the Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said: “In its 19 years, Abu Dhabi Festival has become a distinguished platform for renowned Arab artists to showcase their talent. Our commitment to supporting Arab artists abroad reflects our belief that art serves as a bridge connecting cultures and civilisations. It gives me great pleasure to present musician and composer Faraj Abyad to New York City audiences in a unique performance inspired by the values of peace, love and wisdom”.
Music for the Great Arab Poets, a 75-minute performance brought together the combined beauty of the quarter-tonal Arabic musical system and Arabic poetry in song.
The concert took audiences on a journey through Arab musical history while exploring similarities to contemporary jazz through vocal and instrumental improvisation. Translations of the Arabic songs were also provided to allow audience members to truly experience the emotions of the unique melodies.
Before the concert Faraj Abyad said: “It is a true honour to be a part of the Abu Dhabi Festival this year as a representative of the depth and beauty of traditional Arabic music. I am particularly excited about this concert because we will be performing the new songs I composed for my new album which are based on the Arabic maqam traditions, but daringly approach modernity and western techniques within the genre In this world premiere presented by Abu Dhabi Festival,
Faraj also sang the best of Arabic poetry and classical music in an authentic representation of Arab heritage and musical tradition.
The concert took audiences on a journey through Arab musical history while exploring similarities to contemporary jazz through vocal and instrumental improvisation. Translations of the Arabic songs were also provided to allow audience members to truly experience the emotions of the unique melodies.
The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan and supported by Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Energy Partner GS Energy. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 performances and events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and17 world premieres.
The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation makes to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music.
For more information on Abu Dhabi Festival’s upcoming events, please visit: https://abudhabifestival.ae, and find the Festival on: Facebook (abudhabifestival), Twitter (@abudhabi_fest) and Instagram (@abudhabifestival).
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