An African tree performs world music night in Muscat

  • An African tree performs world music night in Muscat
  • Arabesque International is presenting a night of world music to be performed by the German ensemble Jacaranda
  • Five German Musicians perform on 25 instruments at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Education in Wattayah
  • Five musicians from Brandenburg to give workshops in Omani schools
  • Arabesque’s outreach project reached 4000 Omani school kids

Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arabesque International, in collaboration with the German Embassy in Muscat, and Oman Arab Bank’s sponsorship, organizes a world music night on Sunday 31st, January 2016 in the Auditorium of the Ministry of Education in Wattayah at 07:30 p.m. concert marks the third event of the second season of the Muscat Chamber Music Series which is to be performed by the German ensemble Jacaranda.

This came during the press conference that was organized by Arabesque International yesterday 24 January 2016 at the headquarter of Oman Arab Bank in the presence of: H.E. Hans Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz Ambassador of the Republic Federal Republic of Germany to the Sultanate, Ahmed Abouzahra, General Manager of the Arabesque International, and Mr. Amin al-Husseini, the Chief Executive of Oman Arab Bank.

“The Night with world music by Jacaranda Ensemble” is the third concert of the second season of the Muscat Chamber Music Series which is a non-profit project that was launched in April 2015. We believe in the importance of music and the benefits it can offer to people beyond the entertainment. We believe that music develops the intellectual and the critical thinking of oneself so we lunched this project to give a chance to the Omani musicians, music students and younger generations to meet international artists and get introduced to different music genres from different cultures.” said Ahmed Abouzahra, General Manager of Arabesque International.

Workshops, More than just music 

As we all know the essential part of the project’s vision is to bring professional artists to stay in Muscat for nearly two weeks before the concert to conduct musical workshops with schools and university students. These workshops will take place on Sunday 27th, January in the British School at 10:00 and in PDO School at 14:00 and on Monday 28th in GUtech at 13:00 other workshops will follow in different public and private schools as well as universities and colleges with the aim to offer the opportunity for the young talents to benefit from this non-profit musical and outreach project, which is considered the first of its kind in Oman.

H.E. Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Muscat said about the project: “I am delighted to see the Muscat Chamber Music Series taking off with style. Music is an extraordinary pleasant way to establish an intimate dialogue: Musicians do not speak to ears only but also to souls and minds!”

“I am happy to see German Musicians coming to Muscat not only to perform music, but to do workshops with Omani students and children. The German ensemble ”Jacaranda” with outstanding musicians of the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra will perform as “musical ambassadors” under the auspices of H.E. the Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, Dr. Steinmeier.” he said.

Social Responsibility 

“Oman Arab bank was one of the first supporters of the Muscat Chamber Music Series organized by Arabesque International “, Said Amin Al Husseini, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank”. He then pointed out that “we believe in the importance of the project’s concept as a whole and its reflection on the society especially the school students who are the backbone and prospect of the future. This project is not only giving them a chance to get introduced to the world of music genres, but also gives them a chance to learn from professional artists. They wouldn’t have got such a chance to meet these artists except from Arabesque’s project. The artists come and stay in Muscat from 10 days to two weeks to work with the students of music and arts. Therefore, the project discovers new Omani talents having a promising future.”

Over thirty years, Oman Arab Bank believes in the social responsibility towards the community by assigning part of the profit to serve and benefit the community which our success would have never been achieved without doing this. The bank used to give a financial support to some associations that are doing the same social role, but we recently decided to dedicate our support directly to the art, music, and sport projects.  We found in Arabesque International’s non-profit project, Muscat Chamber Music Series, what we aimed at, so the bank accepted to support the project believing in its importance.” said Amin el-Husseini

Jacaranda Ensemble 

“The ensemble consists of five musicians, principals of the Brandenburg Symphony, who have put together an unusual ensemble as a result of a desire to experiment with new sounds. The instrumentation of this ensemble clearly demonstrates this idea: Alpenhorn, didgeridoo, saxophone, and percussion, instruments whose origins often are thousands of miles apart, which are woven through a mixture of composed and improvised music into a musical tapestry. Through its music, the Jacaranda Ensemble builds a bridge between the cultures of the world. The positive response of the public as well as international respect has confirmed the unusual concept of the Jacaranda Ensemble. Concert tours within Germany and abroad, as well as a positive reaction from the media are the visible results of this artistic endeavour.

The “Muscat Chamber Music Series” 

“Arabesque International launched the Muscat Chamber Music Series believing in the role of education, arts and music as a driving engine for the development of nations with the to communicate with the new talents through this type of music that is traditionally performed by a small group of instrumentalists, in a relatively small space. In order to pursuit this goal, Arabesque invites experienced high-quality chamber music ensembles to Muscat, for a period that ranges between one and three weeks, to provide educational and musical activities in schools. “said Ahmed Abouzahra

“The first season was being organized since September 2014. There were three pre- launches concerts. Then the opening of the Muscat Chamber Music Series Season I took place in April 2015 where some of the musicians of the renowned Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra gave workshops to students of different ages from different schools and a master class to professional musicians from the Oud Hobbyists association. On April 9th, Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra performed the opening concert of Season I at TAISM (The American School International Muscat) in front of an absolutely delighted audience of all ages. Mitja Quartet performed in the final concert of season one in May 2015 at the Zubair Museum after making a series of workshops to many students from different schools.“ said Abouzahra

Arabesque International

Arabesque International is a performing art promoter and event organizer with its head office in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Founded in 2012 by the Egyptian German pianist Ahmed Abouzahra, General Manager of East West Art Promotion (Germany, Egypt). In July 2014, His Highness Sayyed Mohamed bin Salim Al-Said took over the partnership in Oman. Since its establishment in January 2012, Arabesque International brought numerous international art institutions in prestigious locations in Oman (Royal Opera House Muscat, Muscat Festival and Al Bustan Palace Hotel); Egypt (Cairo Opera House, Alexandria Opera House); Bahrain (Manama Cultural Hall, National Theater, Spring of Culture Festival); Qatar (Doha Opera House) and Lebanon (Beiteddine Festival); Emirates (Abu Dhabi Classics) and Jordan.

For more info or interviews please contact or 2449 4553 / 9747 8300 or info@arabesqueint.com 

Free Admission
For reservations please call 2449 4553 / 9747 8300
Or email us on info@arabesqueint.com
Children under the age of 7 are not admitted 

mcms.arabesqueint.com