The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO)’s CineMoon Ensemble brought its blend of cinematic and classical music closer to the community on Friday, performing for hundreds of shoppers and visitors in its first-ever concert at a major shopping mall.
Merve Kenet-Bulun, founder and artistic director of CineMoon Ensemble, told Gulf Times that the inspiration behind the performance at Mall of Qatar (MoQ) was rooted in accessibility and connection.
“The inspiration was to bring the orchestra to everyone, from the youngest children to the oldest generations,” she said. “It was about uniting with people who had never experienced a live orchestra and offering them, for the first time, the extraordinary colours, emotions, and magic that only a live orchestral performance can bring.”
CineMoon’s concert is part of the QPO ensembles’ concert that day, which also includes the Brass and Mosaic Ensembles.
Under the direction of conductor Giovanni Pasini, the ensemble performed a carefully curated programme of iconic film scores and beloved television drama themes.
The repertoire was brought to life through original arrangements by Julia Korodi and Ajlan Akyüz, allowing familiar melodies to feel fresh and artistically distinctive.
The audience was treated to exceptional solo performances from Joris Laenen (trumpet, and narrator), co-founder and concertmaster of CineMoon Ensemble Lorena Manescu (violin), Zehra Özcelik (vocals, oud), Dr Shabnam Shikhaliyeva (qanun), and Simone Zanacchi (saxophone) – each musician delivering moments of sheer artistry that held the crowd in rapt attention.
Performing in a shopping mall required careful technical and logistical preparation.
“The ensemble adapted to the venue’s acoustics, sound systems, and stage environment, alongside the challenge of transporting instruments and equipment into a public commercial space,” said Kenet-Bulun.
As part of the QPO’s flexible ensemble structure, CineMoon continues to engage with diverse audiences across different settings.
Kenet-Bulun noted the multicultural atmosphere of the event, where audiences from various backgrounds gathered in a shared experience of live music.
She added that the experience changes how audiences perceive music in daily life.
“They will start to hear music in everything around them, even in birdsong,” Kenet-Bulun said. “And when they later hear a pop song, classical music or film score playing in the background, they will recall the impact of the live experience. The melodies will feel familiar, yet they will listen with a deeper and more conscious awareness.”
The performance became more than just a concert as shoppers, families, and children clapped, sang, and swayed to the music, turning it into a spontaneous celebration.
“The most rewarding moment came after the concert, when children lined up to take photos with us, gave us hugs, and told us how much they had enjoyed the performance,” Kenet-Bulun said.
“Those moments reminded us why projects like this are so important,” she continued, adding: “We hope we sparked a curiosity and appreciation for orchestral music in those young minds and created a memory that will inspire them for years to come.”
The QPO and the CineMoon Ensemble plan to expand their community outreach, with upcoming performances slated for schools, unique public venues, and a return to the historic atmosphere of the Museum of Islamic Art.
Furthermore, the ensemble is currently developing a new initiative focusing on audiences along the Silk Road, in collaboration with its co-founder, Lorena Manescu.
