Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) celebrated Canada’s musical heritage with Sounds of Canada, bringing a two-concert series presented as part of the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture to a close. The concert was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Years of Culture.
Held at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) and led by acclaimed conductor Charles Olivieri-Munroe, the concert featured works by Canadian composers Oskar Morawetz, Pierre Mercure, and Jacques Hétu. The evening introduced audiences in Doha to the country’s orchestral traditions, highlighting the diverse cultural influences and artistic voices that have shaped Canadian classical music.
Conductor Charles Olivieri-Munroe said, “Canada has a remarkably rich and varied musical heritage, shaped by different cultures and experiences. Having grown up and studied in Canada, it was particularly meaningful to share the music of these composers with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and audiences here in Doha. Each brings something distinctive to the programme, and it was a pleasure to introduce their works to new audiences through this cultural exchange.”
Years of Culture is Qatar’s cultural exchange initiative, connecting people and countries through shared experiences in the arts, heritage, education, sport, and other fields. Its longstanding collaboration with QPO brings this mission to life through music, introducing audiences to the creative voices of Qatar’s partner countries.
QPO Executive Director Kurt Meister said, “Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra was delighted to welcome Charles Olivieri-Munroe to lead this programme celebrating Canada’s musical heritage. Following Sounds of Mexico in September, Sounds of Canada brought our Years of Culture two-concert series to a close offering audiences in Qatar the opportunity to discover works by composers whose music may be less familiar to them. Through our continued collaboration with Years of Culture, we can introduce a wider range of orchestral works while sharing the composers and stories behind them.”
The programme featured four works by three Canadian composers, each offering a distinctive perspective on the country’s musical heritage and introducing audiences to Canada’s diverse orchestral voices. Oskar Morawetz’s Carnival Overture opened the programme, followed by his Symphony No. 2, offering a further introduction to one of Canada’s most prominent 20th-century composers. Following the interval, the evening concluded with Pierre Mercure’s Kaleidoscope, followed by Jacques Hétu’s On the Banks of the Saint-Maurice River, Op. 78.
Morawetz’s works were a particular focus of the evening. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, he fled Europe during the Second World War and settled in Canada in 1940. He went on to become one of the country’s leading composers, with his life and career reflecting how migration and cultural influence have helped in shaping the country’s musical landscape.
The concert also highlighted Olivieri-Munroe’s own connection to Canada. Born in Malta and raised and educated in Canada, he has built an international conducting career. In 2000, he won First Prize at the Prague Spring International Conducting Competition. His return to the music of the country where he developed his early musical foundations offered a further connection to the cultural exchange at the heart of the programme.
Sounds of Canada followed Sounds of Mexico, which opened the series on September 18 under the direction of Mexican conductor Enrique Arturo Diemecke. Together, the two concerts formed part of the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a year-long programme connecting the three countries through exhibitions, design, film, sport, heritage, education, and community exchange.
