GROUP PHOTO: Students pose with guest conductor Claudio Cohen as QPO plays on in the background.

By our correspondent

 

It was a special kind of rehearsal for the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) yesterday morning at the Katara Opera House. For once, twenty students from the International School of London in Qatar were the orchestra’s dedicated audience.

The visibly excited children got to experience the ensemble’s musical prowess as noted Brazilian conductor Claudio Cohen introduced them to the various facets of a western classical music ensemble.

Qatar Museums and the QPO are all set to host a grand musical event with Cohen on October 30 at the Katara Opera House, where the conductor will enthral audiences by conducting Dvoák’s New World Symphony as well as special pieces from Brazilian composers Antonio Carlos Gomes and Heitor Villa-Lobos.

On Monday, Qatar Museums celebrated the educational aspect of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture, by inviting the 20 children to soak in a full-fledged rehearsal conducted by Cohen.

From taking the children through the various instrument sections such as strings and woodwinds to making them understand the significance of the sound and tone of each section by making the orchestra play various parts, Cohen was spot-on in delivering a quick crash-course on the various facets of classical music.

“Watching the musicians perform such complex pieces opened our minds to the kinds of instruments and styles of music that we can pursue,” said one of the students, soon after the rehearsal.

On October 30, audiences will be treated to pieces from the Brazilian composers, Antonio Carlos Gomes (Alvorada-Dawn, from the opera Lo schiavo), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Bachianas Brasileiras No.7), as well as from the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, (New World Symphony).

The Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture continues to build on a legacy of connecting people through cultural exchange as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Held under the patronage of HE Sheikha al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Qatar Brazil 2014 is the third consecutive Year of Culture, organised by Qatar Museums, following Qatar UK 2013 and Qatar Japan 2012. Qatar Brazil 2014 is sponsored by Qatar Petroleum International, Shell, Qatar Airways and Hilton.

Commenting yesterday’s rehearsal, Safiya al-Hajari, QM Director of Strategic and Cultural Relations, said: “This event will serve as a great learning experience for the youth of Doha who will be able to develop an appreciation of the work that goes into becoming a professional musician. It also builds cultural bridges between Qatar and Brazil in terms of music that we hope will extend further into the coming years.”

Both the events are key to the educational and cultural dialogue created by the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture initiative. “With this event, the activities for the Qatar Brazil year of culture continue, however this event is particularly special, as it reflects the international nature of our events,” said, HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari.

“Orchestras in general are no longer limited to any one country, thus each one has its own character that is influenced by a number of different cultures, and Brazilian culture is particularly rich and diverse,” al-Kuwari added.

Cohen, the music director, conductor and co-founder at the National Theater Symphonic Orchestra in Brasilia, Brazil, is the guest conductor. A violinist and teacher, Cohen has travelled across the globe, and has participated in countless music festivals, with renowned musical ensembles. He is the proud owner of a number of accolades which include the OK Culture Prize, the 2006 ALMUB Excellency Prize and the Brazil Accorde Prize.

 

 

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