Hekayat. Symphonic Tales

Commisioned and produced by Abu Dhabi Festival

In the latest album by the Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, the world comes to the UAE and Abu Dhabi speaks to the world. 13 compositions transverse the globe bringing the musical traditions and cultures of every continent to play out their unique musical story within the compositional conception of Darwish and his message for the modern world.

Ihab Darwish brought together a powerhouse group of international musicians, including Krakow’s acclaimed Beethoven Academy Orchestra, conducted by maestro Tomasz Tokarczyk, VOX Chamber Choir (South Africa), tenor José Cura (Argentina), Edyta Krzemień (Poland) – soprano,  Dharni (Singapore) – Rap/beat box, Iva Georgieva (Bulgaria) – vocal, Arqam (UAE) -vocal, Aslam Safla (Reunion) – vocal,  Sara Andon (USA) – flute, Steven Lin (USA) – piano, Kinan Azmeh (Syria/USA) – clarinet, Krassi Dzhambazov (Bulgaria) – violon, Ericca Piccotti (Italy) – cello, Tona Zardon (Cuba) – trumpet, Carlos Pinana (Spain) – flamenco guitar, Kodo (Japan) – taiko drums, John Beasley (USA) – piano, James Genus (USA) – bass, Gregoire Maret (USA – harmonica, Terreon Gully (USA) – drums, Layth Aldaene (Iraq) – oud, Ibrahim Fathi (Egypt) Kawala/Ney, Basam Sheiha (Egypt) – qanun, Arsen Petrosyan (Armenia) – duduk, Diana Pandova (Bulgaria) – harp, Stoyan Stoyanov, (Bulgaria) – accordion, Alex Nushev (Bulgaria)- bass guitar, Emirati Percussionists and Emiratii Choir.

Drawing on universal human traits and the core values of tolerance, peace, inclusion and internationalism, the music in both instrumental and lyrical renditions, takes us on a fused journey through the collective soul of man and that one universal language – music that we all speak and understand, to touch the core issues facing our  world today. With a heart pounding a Middle Eastern beat, Darwish tells 13 tales of man through the mouthpieces of instruments ancient and modern, techniques century-honed and recently perfected. From outer space to the innermost emotions of love and yearning, we find ourselves with one foot in a concrete world with recognisable forms, while the other boldly strides into distant places, buoyed on by the optimism and possibilities that run through the music.

The ancient and exotic ouds, qanuns and duduks enchantingly draw us across the waves of the Arabian Gulf and the seven oceans’ beating heart of these tales, are accompanied with songs and renditions of operatic aplomb and symphonic sensationalism. From every continent a universal voice is carved out from the beautifully blended mix of styles and sounds, expertly woven in Darwish’s compositions into a sound picture and perfectly presented as human and universal.

13 different tales sing alone yet together, joined by the core values that have driven mankind progressively since the dawn of humanity : universalism, tolerance, inclusion, cooperation and trust. Values that speak any language and ones that unite when crafted into music of this quality and vision.

Ihab Darwish’s new album and virtual concert at Abu Dhabi Festival 2021, was executed in a state-of-the-art technology in the age of physical distance had the world premiere on March 30th, 2021.

Ihab Darwish extends his special thanks to Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo for the invitation. It’s an honor to be part of the event – the most prestigious festival in the region, especially in 2021 – as this is special year coinciding the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates.⁣

The album was released by Universal Music MENA. ⁣ ⁣

Hekayat. Symphonic Tales avaible on digitial music platforms: https://UmusicMENA.lnk.to/Hekayat