Yordan Kamdzhalov.
DOHA: Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra has a rare treat for musicophiles tonight at Katara Opera House playing a profusion of masterpieces by 10 of the best European composers in “A Tour of Europe” concert.
Under the baton of maestro Yordan Kamdzhalov, the 101-piece orchestra will take the audience on an epic journey across the continent through the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Richard Wagner, Johann Strauss Jr., Manuel De Falla, Bedřich Smetana, Giuseppe Verdi, Dimitar Nenov, Franz Liszt, Georges Enesco and Igor Stravinsky.
The concert commences with Prelude from Te Deum by French composer Charpentier and culminates with Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird.
Completing the rich repertoire are Wagner’s Prelude to Act I from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Strauss’ Overture to Die Fledermaus, De Falla’s Ritual Firedance, Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau), Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino, Nenov’s Toccata, Liszt’s Les preludes, and Enesco’s Rumanian Rhapsody.
Hailed as “a philosopher among conductors,” Bulgarian conductor Kamdzhalov has a stellar international career working with more than 50 orchestras around the world and numerous accolades under his belt including the most prestigious German music prize Echo Klassik for Concerto Recording of the Year, Best Opera Conductor of the Year by Deutschlandradio in and Musician of the Year by The Bulgarian National Radio, to name a few.
In 2014, NASA and the International Astronomical Union named a planetary body after him.
Sponsored by the Bulgarian Embassy in Qatar, the concert is held to mark Europe Day, an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: May 5 for the Council of Europe and May 9 for the European Union.
The Council of Europe’s day reflects its own establishment in 1949, while the European Union’s day is also known as Schuman Day and celebrates the historical declaration by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950.
Concert-goers can look forward to Qatar Philharmonic’s next concert on April 13 featuring performances by the winners of the first-ever Qatar National Music Competition. With Elias Grandy as conductor, this concert will feature young musicians Prama Yudhistra and Mia Park-Torchinsky on piano and Tricia Enlin Ng on violin
More upcoming shows slated for this season are Elgar’s Enigma Variations on April 28, Brahms’ Second Symphony on May 5, Brahms’ Violin Concerto on May 9, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 on May 14.
For concert tickets, Click here.
