The Abrahamic Symphony

Commisioned and produced by Abu Dhabi Festival

The Abrahamic Symphony, commissioned and produced by Abu Dhabi Festival, is the world’s first interfaith symphony composed by David Shire (USA), John Debney (USA)  and Ihab Darwish (UAE).

Bringing together top international composers, musicians and vocal ensembles from many backgrounds, the symphony celebrates unity and peace amongst different faiths. The symphony featured the participation of an orchestra of 67 musicians, 6 choirs of 250 vocalists, 12 instrumental soloists, 6 singers, and 5 poets, in 24 recording studios around the world, from 19 cities in 17 countries. The work of ninety one minutes contains four primary movements: Earth – prologue, the synagogue, the church, and the mosque. It builds bridges that connect people from different parts of the globe and a common appreciation of cultural diversity. It was Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and Abu Dhabi Festival’s founder, H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, her support and her faith in this project, which made this new work possible.

The Abrahamic Symphony brought together a powerhouse group of international musicians, including acclaimed Beethoven Academy Orchestra (Poland), conducted by maestro Diego Navarro (Spain), Lebo M (South Africa) – vocal, Sumi Jo (South Korea) – soprano, Mahmoud el Tohamy (Egypt) – vocal, Lisabeth Scott (USA) – vocal, Richard Bernstein (USA) – baritone, Olivia Vote (USA) – mezzo soprano, Brenton Ryan (USA) – tenor, Sir Derek Jacobi (UK) – spoken word, Tina Guo (USA) – cello, Santiago Canon Valencia (Colombia) – cello, Elham Almarzooqi (UAE) – cello, Ibrahim Fathi (Egypt) – ney, Aytaç Doğan (Turkey) – qanun, Sadiq Jaffar (Iraq) – oud, Pedro Eustache (USA) – duduk, Melissa White (USA) – violin, Wayne Bergeron (USA) – trumpet, Simone Pedroni (Italy) – piano, Sara Andon (USA) – flute,  Carlos Pinana (Spain) – guitar, Lavinia Meijer (Netherlands) – harp, RSNO Chorus (Scotland), Tohamy’s Elite School Chorus (Egypt), Jerusalem Knights Choir (Palestine),  The Jerusalem Academy Chamber Choir (Isreal), Lebo’s South African Choir (South Africa), Antonine University Choir (Lebanon).

Co-produced by Ihab Darwish, Zofia Jeziorna, Robert Townson.
Managed and executed by Artwish Music and Events

The album was released by Universal Music MENA. ⁣ ⁣

The Abrahamic Symphony available on digital music platforms: https://TheAbrahamicSymphony.lnk.to/Album