Symphony Arabica

Performances:  

15 May 20:30 hrs: Big hall of the                                                     Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam

16 May 20:30 hrs: Laurenskerk, Rotterdam

17 May 20:30 hrs: Grote Kerk, Den Haag

18 May 16:00 hrs: Dom Kerk, Utrecht

Different worlds come together on one stage: professional musicians from Europe and the Middle East, students and teachers from the national conservatories in Palestine, Jordan and Syria and several music academies in Europe, local amateur musicians and children. 

During his travels trough the Middle East, Merlijn collected music, people, poems and memories that will find a place in the composition. The music will be a combination of his own style and the rich living tradition of Arab music.

Students from several Dutch music academies study the music, work with guests and soloists from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan and coach inexperienced musicians and children. In four towns, large groups of local amateurs and children are included in the orchestra. They receive workshops in contemporary and Arab music and perform together.

15 May is the date that the British mandate ended in 1948 Palestine. More than 700.000 Palestinians were forced to flee there homes and are until today living in exile. 60 years later, we want to bring more consciousness about these events known as el Nakba (the catastrophe) and remember 1948 in a dignified and refined music event.

Background