Education

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 29th September 2014:Tickets for the 2014/2015 Abu Dhabi Classics the annual international concert season - are now on sale for a series of performances by some of the worlds finest classical musicians from East and West.

Reintroduced by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) after a three-year break, the season, from October until May next year, will see a host of leading international musicians and orchestras perform at numerous venues across Abu Dhabi city, Saadiyat Island and the emirates heritage heartland, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al Ain.

The theme of the Classics season is The Traveller, and chosen venues include the 1 Emirates Palace Auditorium in Emirates Palace, one of the worlds most opulent hotels, and the historic Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain.

One of the highlights of the season will be JordiSavalls world premiere Ibn Battuta: The voyager of Islam being performed at Emirates Palace on November 20. The Spanish composer will be joined by Hesperion XXI, an ensemble of 16 musicians playing traditional Arabic instruments, as they take the audience on a musical journey following the travels of legendary 14th century Arab traveller Ibn Battuta.

Savall has composed the unique for one night only concert especially for the Abu Dhabi Classics Season and will also be joined by Driss El Maloumi widely regarded as one of the best Oud players of his generation and one of the Arab worlds leading artists.

The season opens on October 14 with a concert dedicated to Chopins travels by French prodigy LydieSoloman at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island. The 32-year-old is a rising star in the classical field having given her first recital at a music festival aged just 10-years-old.

Studying under the noted classical pianist Professor Jacques Rouvier at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique, she took first prize at the conservatory with the highest honours in piano, musical composition and analysis, sight reading, chamber and coral music.

On October 28, Abu Dhabi Theatre will host world-renowned classical violinist Gidon Kremer and the KremerataBaltica chamber orchestra as part of their Middle East tour, with the performance titled The Four Seasons.

A graduate of the Riga School of Music and the Moscow Conservatory, Kremer won a host of honours in international music competitions in Europe, Canada and Russia.

The Kremer concert is seen as a considerable achievement for the Abu Dhabi Classics programme, as he has played with some of the most prestigious orchestras and conductors in the world including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic and Andre Previn.

Dr Ronald Perlwitz, Head of Music Programming, Cultural Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: We are bringing a superb line up of global talent to Abu Dhabi which will be a real treat to classical music lovers and also enhances the emirates cultural standing. We have had immense interest in Abu Dhabi Classics already with enquiries from across the world including the US, Europe and Middle East for people keen to witness the performances. The media is also voicing much interest in the stunning line up of talent we have attracted to take part during the season.

We are endeavouring to offer a unique musical experience to everyone who want to enjoy superb classical music through the ages and from across the world.

Abu Dhabis tourism stakeholders have given the series revival an enthusiastic welcome saying this boost to the emirates calendar of world-class events will lift visitation.AymanGharib, General Manager of the five-star Al AinRotana, said: The Classics is the event of the year for Al Ain and one we are all really looking forward to. We are privileged to be chosen as a host venue as this is a musical city and the atmosphere will be electric. Already we have noticed considerable interest from across the region which will only gain momentum as the season gets underway.

The season will also focus on the role of education and the transfer of music knowledge with performers visiting schools and universities in Abu Dhabi to help encourage and nurture the passion of young musicians. Conferences and pre-concert talks on the wide subject of classical music and on different composers will also be held.

Up to 12 concerts are planned for the season featuring artistes from more than 20 countries. Other performers are due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the Lydie Solomon, Gidon Kremer and JordiSavall concerts are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae with prices ranging from AED 100 (US $27) to AED 500 (US $136). Limited student tickets are also available at AED 30 (US $8) for all of the events.

For more information on Abu Dhabi Classics see www.abudhabievents.ae

Travel, stay and attend packages are available from Nirvana Travel & Tours LLC, Abu Dhabi at info@travel.ae

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