EMIRATI COMPOSER · MUSIC PRODUCER · CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Ihab Darwish
Orchestral and cinematic music rooted in Emirati identity and created for international audiences.
Ihab Darwish creates music for concert halls, film, theatre, cultural programmes and distinctive brand experiences. His work brings together musicians, traditions and stories from across the world.
EMIRATI COMPOSER · MUSIC PRODUCER · CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Ihab Darwish
Orchestral and cinematic music rooted in Emirati identity and created for international audiences.
Ihab Darwish creates music for concert halls, film, theatre, cultural programmes and distinctive brand experiences. His work brings together musicians, traditions and stories from across the world.
EMIRATI COMPOSER · MUSIC PRODUCER · CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Ihab Darwish
Orchestral and cinematic music rooted in Emirati identity and created for international audiences.
Ihab Darwish creates music for concert halls, film, theatre, cultural programmes and distinctive brand experiences. His work brings together musicians, traditions and stories from across the world.
Music created in the UAE. Presented on international stages.
Emirates Palace · Carnegie Hall · The Kennedy Center · Walt Disney Concert Hall · Kensington Palace
ABOUT
An Emirati voice in international orchestral music
Ihab Darwish is an Emirati composer and music producer whose work connects orchestral storytelling with the cultural identity of the United Arab Emirates.
His catalogue includes large-scale symphonic albums, cinematic compositions, music for national celebrations, film scores and sonic identities. His major works include Waves of My Life, Hekayat: Symphonic Tales and Symphony of Three.
Across his projects, Darwish has collaborated with more than 600 musicians from 40 countries.
600+
Musicians involved in international collaborations
40
Countries represented across his projects
160
Musicians in his Emirates Palace orchestral debut
128
Musicians from 20 countries in Hekayat: Symphonic Tales
COMMISSIONS & COLLABORATIONS
Music for stages, stories and identities
Original music and creative collaboration for concerts, cultural programmes, media, public events and distinctive brand experiences.
Original orchestral music
Large-scale compositions for orchestras, choirs, soloists and ceremonial settings.
Cinematic and film music
Narrative-led scores for film, documentary and visual storytelling.
Theatre and live productions
Original music and orchestral arrangements for theatre, national celebrations and immersive performances.
Sonic branding
Musical identities, destination anthems, audio signatures and original brand music.
Commercial music
Original scores for campaigns, promotional films, conferences, openings and branded content.
Cultural and international collaborations
Projects connecting Emirati artists with international orchestras, performers and cultural institutions.
SELECTED WORK
Music with a story to tell
INTERFAITH SYMPHONIC WORK
Symphony of Three
A four-movement interfaith symphony created with John Debney and David Shire, inspired by the Abrahamic Family House and centred on peace, love, tolerance and coexistence.
SYMPHONIC ALBUM
Hekayat: Symphonic Tales
Thirteen compositions performed by 128 musicians from 20 countries, bringing international musical traditions together through a large-scale symphonic project.
CINEMATIC ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
Curva Grande
A cinematic orchestral work inspired by Bob Peak’s Formula 1 painting, performed by the Los Angeles Film Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP
Supporting the future of music in the UAE
Alongside his work as a composer, Ihab Darwish is the Founder and President of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, the first musicians’ association in the United Arab Emirates.
The non-profit association supports composers, performers, conductors, producers, educators, researchers and other professionals connected with the music sector. Its work includes supporting professional development, protecting musicians’ creative rights and strengthening the presence of Emirati music locally and internationally.
SELECTED RECOGNITION
Selected titles and achievements
First Emirati Voting Member of the Recording Academy
Best of Middle East, “Tolerance”
Intercontinental Music Awards · 2023
Collaboration of the Year
MUSIVV Awards · 2023
Musician of the Year
2021
First Guest Composer
Beethoven Academy Orchestra
Registered Artist
Universal Music MENA
Watch & Listen
Experience the music
Watch selected performances, orchestral works and international collaborations from Ihab Darwish’s official YouTube channel.
Symphony of Three
Galactic Hope
Harmony Under One Sky
COMMISSIONS · CONCERTS · COLLABORATIONS
Create the next story in music
For orchestral commissions, concerts, cultural programmes, film and media projects, theatre, sonic branding and international collaborations, contact Ihab Darwish and the Artwish team.