QPO with Marcel Khalife
Last night was my first time watching him live. I like his works but never actually seen him play. I attended Qatar Philharmonic Concert – ‘For Children of Ghaza’, this was the first time I attended QPO’s official concert in 2009. I did intend to go to their new year concert, but it was cancelled. Then after that, never able to make it to their other events, that was till last night.
QPO - Marcel Khalife - Andalusian Suite from novita77 on Vimeo.
Concert was supposed to start at 7.30pm, but only started just after 8pm. Apparently the conductor Cornelia von Kerssenbrock got stuck in the traffic.
The soloist on the first half was Remi Khalife who played the works of S.Rachmaninoff. This is my second time to watched Remi performing. And he still amazed me with his piano skills.
QPO - Marcel Khalife - Encore from novita77 on Vimeo.
Second half soloist was Remi’s Dad, Marcel Khalife. He played Oud together with the orchestra. The piece composed by himself ‘Andalusian Suite’. One of my main reasons for trying my best to come tonight was to watch Marcel Khalife …, and the secondly I like to listen Arabic tune in Orchestra.
The audience was very enthusiastic, that Marcel Khalife performed encore, he sang something in Arabic together with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
The room was packed, I am being told a lot of the audience is Lebanese, they came to the concert just to watched Marcel, he is apparently very well known in Lebanon.
In 2008 Marcel Khalife was named as The Music Director and resident composer of Qatar Philarmonic Orchestra.
Another good night at the QPO, look forward to the next on ………………… provided it isn’t cancelled!!! :)
nadzz, i personally think that the hall in aspire is not suitable for orchestra. Me think using Qatar National Theatre would be better venue.
Most of the audience was actually Palestenian...ofcourse a lot of them who lived in Lebanon. Marcel is famous more for his songs than his music and specifically for singing the poetry of Mahmoud Derwish. His songs are almost all about Palestine and hence was the perfect choice for this concert which was for the children of Gaza. What a treat the concert was although I wish we have venues with better acoustics here in Doha. Perhaps they would consider investing money in the required infrastructure - would definitely be worth it!
Just lovely! I'm so sad I missed it.
I'm sure most of the crowd was Lebanese because he's from Lebanon, but Marcel Khalife is well-known by other Arabs as well. He's a very interesting composer. I listen to his CDs all the time. :)
Glad it was a fruitful night for the performers, the audience and the cause.
Oops! ummm... What QL Calendar?
Jazz! Should be nice... but I have Arabic class on, so will have to give it a miss. :0( Have to learn my ABCs properly, you know.
NFH, your idea sounds absolutely divine! ;0)
We'll discuss soon. Btw, I've done my reconnaissance trip and all set. See ya!
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Don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
eagle, i sent a message in your FB !
lmao NFH ! I will defenitely go along with that. Concert and dinner sounds good !
Maybe MMMs can do a dinner/symphony evening. Then if the performance gets cancelled, oh well, who cares... we can go to dinner anyway :-)
eagle, i always put the music events i know around Doha in QL Calendar. :)
I am going to watch Doha Jazz Festival on the 11th at Qatar National Theatre.
Thats the day after tomorrow ...
Thanks.
And Novi, the next time you hear of and are going for any interesting QPO performances, do let me know. I'd like to tag along. :0)
*****************************************
Don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
Digestive : Lucky you got to chat with him :)
Qatari : Thank you for your kind words
Timo : I am sure you got to see him sometimes in the future.
NFH : I missed my concert's buddy :P
Thanks for sharing, Novi!
I wish I could've attended his concert.
thanks novita! that first song is just wonderful...really inspired.
great post :)
Marcel Khalife is well known for his national songs for Palestine and Lebanon, I like his music but it its kind of Folkloric but he plays Oud very well, I met him here in Doha by coincidence at Sheraton Hotel while he was at the lobby and we chatted for a while, I admired his music and passion toward national songs