On Monday, 18 December 2023, the UN Chamber Music Society, together with the Abu Dhabi Festival, held a concert in celebration of World Arabic Language Day, at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. In celebration of World Arabic Language Day, and Arabic’s historic role in the development of art and science, the programme featured a variety of music repertoire from throughout the Arab region.
The concert was welcomed by Brenda Vongova, founder and President of the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council, who warmly thanked Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival for her continuous support to the UN Chamber Music Society. Together, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Festival, the UN Chamber Music Society was honoured to perform a concert to celebrate the rich Arabic culture, through the universal language of music.
Following the introduction by Ms. Vongova, a message from Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirate to the United Nations – was delivered by Ms. Nasra Alrahma, from the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations.
Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, emphasized the importance of celebrating the partnership with the United Nations and the Chamber Music Society on World Arabic Language Day at Carnegie Hall, one of the most important American art venues. The aim is to enhance the global presence and appreciation of the Arabic language, highlighting its cultural and intellectual value and promoting the values of coexistence and global peace through the language of music.
Her Excellency concluded, “Through the masterpieces of Arabic poetry, singing, and the performances of eight Arab and international musicians led by Brenda Vongova, the renowned artistic director and pianist, the vocabulary and musical rhythms of Arabic echo in the ears of the global and Western audience. The creations of eminent artists such as Kazem Al Saher, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, and Kinan Azmeh, as well as the masterpieces of Gibran Khalil Gibran’s “Aatini al-Nay wa-Ghanni” and Ibrahim Touqan’s anthem ‘Mawtini’, resonate among others.”
One of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by more than 290 million people, Arabic is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity. To celebrate Arabic Language Day through music, the first half of the programme featured classical Arabic repertoire; while the second half of the concert featured popular music from the Arab world.
The music programme opened with the “Songs of Arab Countries” (arranged by Ghiya Rushidat for the UN Chamber Music Society) – which was inspired by the National Anthem of Arab countries performed during the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The music programme then featured classical & contemporary classical Arab music composers – including Syrian composer Kinan Azmeh, with his moving Tribute to the Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said; and Tunisian composer Karim Al-Zand, with his vibrant “Bagatelle” composition.
The musicians also performed Lamma Bada Yatathanna (“When My Love Begins To Sway”), an ancient poem on a theme of captivating beauty and love dates from around the 9th-century in Al-Andalus; as well as “Desert Nights,” composed by the Kuwaiti classical composer Amer Jafar.
In the second half of the concert, the audience enjoyed a popular music programme, which included music repertoire by two celebrated popular artists from the Middle East: Kazim al-Sahir from Iraq, known as the Caesar of the Arabic music – with his song titled Eid al ashak “Celebration of lovers”; and a famous song from Lebanon’s Fairuz – with a song titled “Aatini Nay”. The concert closed with “Hold Your Fire” which was co-produced by Kadim Al Sahir and the UN Chamber Music Society – a song which symbolizes our commitment to promoting love, solidarity, and unity.
The concert was warmly received by the audience – with comprised of both the international community of the United Nations and the local New York community. The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall was nearly a full house, and the audience enjoyed the enchanting evening, where every chord touched the hearts and brought tears of nostalgia, appreciation and pride for the rich Arabic musical tradition.