UAE Philharmonic Orchestra

Last updated
UAE Philharmonic orchestra in United Arab Emirates at Theatre of Digital Art UAE Phil orchestra.jpg
UAE Philharmonic orchestra in United Arab Emirates at Theatre of Digital Art

The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra based in the United Arab Emirates.

Contents

After being inactive for several years, the orchestra was relaunched in 2024 by BACKART Production under the baton of conductor Nicolas Mann [1] [2] .

Rebranded as "UAE Phil." it became the first orchestra in the UAE to offer a full yearly concert season, performing a diverse repertoire ranging from Baroque masterpieces to 20th-century works [2] [3] .

The orchestra is noted for its multicultural ensemble, featuring musicians from 17 different countries, reflecting Dubai's cultural diversity and inclusivity [2] .

History

The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra was originally founded by Philipp Maier, who served as its first conductor and artistic director.

It was active between 2006 and 2012 in the United Arab Emirates, primarily performing in Dubai.

Initially known as the Dubai Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO), it was renamed in 2007 to reflect its broader representation of musicians from across the UAE. [4]

The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra consisted of around 70 volunteer amateur and professional musicians resident in the UAE, and performed regularly at private events, public concerts and corporate functions.

Its repertory included both European classical music and specially commissioned works influenced by both European and Arabic musical traditions. During its first existence The UAEPO was the only permanent orchestra in the UAE.

Performances in early 2007 were claimed to be well-attended and successful. [5] However, in 2012, Meier resigned and announced the end of the UAEPO, blaming a lack of both public and private sector support. [6] [7] [8]

Relaunch

In September 2024, the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra was revived after a 12-year hiatus, with BACKART Production overseeing its relaunch and a new identity under the name "UAE Phil.". [2]

Nicolas Mann was appointed as the orchestra's chief conductor and artistic director, bringing with him extensive international experience, including performances at prominent venues such as the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and collaborations with Grammy Award-winning artists. [1] [3]

The inaugural concert of the re-established UAE Phil took place at the Theatre of Digital Arts (TODA) in Dubai, marking the official beginning of its new concert season. The event was attended by UAE officials, members of the press, and notable cultural figures. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Philharmonic</span> American symphony orchestra in New York City

The New York Philharmonic is an American symphony orchestra based in New York City. Known officially as the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., and globally known as the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) or the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, it is one of the leading American orchestras popularly called the "Big Five". The Philharmonic's home is David Geffen Hall, at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech Philharmonic</span> Czech symphony orchestra based in Prague

The Czech Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in Prague. The orchestra performs primarily at the Rudolfinum concert hall.

The Berlin Philharmonic is a German orchestra based in Berlin. It is one of the most popular, acclaimed and well-respected orchestras in the world.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California. Colloquially referred to as the LA Phil, the orchestra has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September. Gustavo Dudamel is the current music director, Esa-Pekka Salonen is conductor laureate, Zubin Mehta is conductor emeritus, and Susanna Mälkki is principal guest conductor. John Adams is the orchestra's current composer-in-residence.

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Rotterdam. Its primary venue is the concert hall De Doelen. The RPhO is considered one of the Netherlands' two principal orchestras of international standing, second to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam. In addition to symphony concerts, the RPhO performs as the opera orchestra in productions at De Nederlandse Opera, as do other Dutch ensembles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel Philharmonic Orchestra</span> Symphony orchestra based in Tel Aviv

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is a major Israeli symphony orchestra based in Tel Aviv. Its principal concert venue is Heichal HaTarbut.

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra based in Bergen. Its principal concert venue is the Grieg Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Thielemann</span> German conductor (born 1959)

Christian Thielemann is a German conductor. He is currently Generalmusikdirektor of the Berlin State Opera and chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Berlin.

The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra is the main orchestra in the Principality of Monaco. The orchestra gives concerts primarily in the Auditorium Rainier III, but also performs at the Salle des Princes in the Grimaldi Forum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gustavo Dudamel</span> Venezuelan conductor and violinist (born 1981)

Gustavo Adolfo Dudamel Ramírez is a Venezuelan conductor and violinist. He is currently the music director of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He is scheduled to become the Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic in 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Antonio Symphony</span> American symphony orchestra based in San Antonio, Texas

The San Antonio Symphony was a full-time professional symphony orchestra based in San Antonio, Texas. Its season ran from late September to early June. Sebastian Lang-Lessing, its music director from 2010 to 2020, was the last to serve in that capacity. The orchestra was a resident organization of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio. In August 2022, the orchestra's musicians reformed as the San Antonio Philharmonic, a name first used in 1914, and announced a ten-concert classical-music series for the 2022–23 season to be given at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 100 yards from Tobin Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaap van Zweden</span> Dutch conductor and violinist

Jaap van Zweden is a Dutch conductor and violinist. He is currently music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Seoul Philharmonic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iași "Moldova" Philharmonic Orchestra</span>

The Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra is a Romanian symphony orchestra located in Iași, Romania. The name "Moldova" in the title refers to the historical region of Moldavia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra</span> American symphonic orchestra

The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1958, is a professional symphony orchestra based in Boulder, Colorado. It is led by Music Director Michael Butterman. The Boulder Philharmonic's season at Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus and other venues includes classical music, pops, school and family concerts, as well as an annual production of The Nutcracker with Boulder Ballet.

The Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, also known as the Tivoli Symphony Orchestra, is a Danish symphony orchestra which both serves as a regional orchestra for the region of Zealand and as resident orchestra in the Tivoli Concert Hall, for the summer season while the Tivoli Gardens are open.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">France–United Arab Emirates relations</span> Bilateral relations

France–United Arab Emirates relations are the foreign relations between France and the United Arab Emirates.

The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, was founded in 2007 by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, the then Emir of Qatar's consort. The orchestra performs both Western and Middle Eastern works, encouraging the enjoyment and creation of such music by the people of Qatar and the region.

Lionel Bringuier, Nice, is a French conductor, cellist and pianist.

The Chicago Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois, governed by the Chicago Philharmonic Society. Founded in 1988 by principals of the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago, it is a musician-governed, non-profit organization consisting of nearly 200 classical music performers from the Chicago area. Since 2013, the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor has been Scott Speck.

Firdaus Orchestra is an initiative of Expo City Dubai, an all-women ensemble based out of the United Arab Emirates. The orchestra is named Firdaus.

References

  1. 1 2 Rizvi, Husain. "Meet the person behind UAE's first residential orchestra". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The UAE's first resident Philharmonic Orchestra launches at ToDA". thehuntr.com. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  3. 1 2 Team, Arte Lusso (2024-09-09). "ToDA Launches the First UAE-Based Philharmonic Orchestra". Arte & Lusso. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  4. "Orchestrating a new musical tradition". The National (Abu Dhabi) . 26 July 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  5. Jonathan Gadalla (April 11, 2007). "Press Release". Arabic Photo Network. Retrieved 2007-06-09. The Philharmonic Orchestra shows at the new Festival City recorded a huge turnout, indicating a real interest in the classical music market.
  6. "Philharmonic orchestra ends on sour note". The UAE Today . 8 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  7. "UAE closes orchestra as robustly funded Qatar Philharmonic celebrates fourth birthday". Doha News . 9 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  8. "Orchestra bows out of UAE scene". Gulf News . 14 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2023.