Commercial Bank hosted a public concert on Saturday at the Museum of Islamic Art Park to commemorate the bank’s 40th anniversary.
Taking place in a family-friendly zone, the concert featured Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and other artistes, who entertained a large crowd with a variety of traditional Qatari, orchestral and contemporary music.
Commercial Bank first opened its doors for business on April 10, 1975, as Qatar’s first private bank and the free concert represented the culmination of a series of special celebratory anniversary activities organised by the bank to thank the Qatari public for their continuous support over the past 40 years, according to a statement.
The first act of the concert began with traditional Qatari sounds from the oud, tabla and qanun, followed by Commercial Bank’s anniversary film displayed on large LED screens. Alina, a singer, then performed popular classics from around the world in English, Arabic, Spanish and French for the second act.
For the third and final act, Commercial Bank CEO Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi gave a welcome address to the large crowd.
“2015 is a very special year for the bank as it marks our 40th anniversary. Commercial Bank has grown to become one of the most successful banks in Qatar and the region. The prosperity and innovation we have enjoyed over the past four decades is both reflected by, and deeply rooted in, the growth of Qatar itself. We ask you to reflect on how much our country has grown and advanced under the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” he said.
The QPO took centre stage and began a musical journey themed “From Doha to the world and back”, starting with the Qatar national anthem. Music from different parts of the world, including China, America, Europe and Russia, was followed by the musical journey returning to Qatar for the premiere of Commercial Bank’s anniversary anthem.
Commercial Bank’s anthem was specially commissioned for the bank’s 40th anniversary and composed by famous Qatari composer Wael Hassan Ali Bin Ali.
Influenced by Commercial Bank’s Qatari heritage, the anthem integrates local Arabic music with classic symphony sounds of an orchestra, and the style of anthem reflects the positivity of the bank’s characteristics as encapsulated in its brand promise: “Everything is Possible”, the statement adds.
Originally recorded in Doha by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the anthem was heard by the public for the first time as the dramatic finale to the concert.
As a way of actively participating in the concert, one Commercial Bank employee and two daughters of employees joined the QPO on stage for the bank’s anthem and played the clarinet, drums and the piano.





Related Story