The United Arab Emirates National Orchestra held its first concert, titled 'The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony', at the Emirates Palace Theatre last evening. This world-class event marked a new chapter in the cultural history of the UAE. This concert, part of the orchestra's inaugural season, marked the first real encounter between the public and the National Orchestra, which consists of 70 musicians and 30 singers. The concert was attended by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as a number of dignitaries, officials, ambassadors, and prominent figures in the fields of culture and arts. The concert was met with a storm of applause from the audience, who stood for a long time to express their respect for this musical narrative, reflecting the power of the performance and the importance of the evening as a pivotal moment in the UAE's heritage and culture. On this occasion, Minister of State and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the UAE National Orchestra Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi said: 'Music has a unique ability to unite peoples, embrace differences between cultures, and enhance the sense of belonging. Based on these values, the UAE National Orchestra was established as a national institution that celebrates our identity, inspired by the UAE's musical heritage, and presents it in a contemporary manner, reflecting the Emirati identity based on confidence and pride.' This inaugural concert marks the beginning of a long journey filled with ambition, opening the door for the public to participate in a musical journey that expresses our rooted values, creative spirit, and national unity. The evening opened with a distinctive program that celebrated the musical heritage rooted in Emirati culture, presenting a symbolic scene that brought together melody, rhythm, voice, and place in an artistic framework that depicted the features of Emirati music shaped through the interaction of poetry and narratives coming from memory, community, and nature. The performance drew its inspiration from various traditional styles of Emirati art, including the Tahrida, Al-Ayyala, Al-Ahila, and Al-Nadba, to present a creative scene that evoked the first sonic productions with all their expressive stories of resilience, unity, and belonging. It also highlighted the role of music in preserving heritage, strengthening community bonds, and shaping collective identity across generations. This performance established the emotional and cultural context for the concert that followed, linking the UAE's musical past with the emerging voice of the UAE National Orchestra as a bearer of national heritage to the future. The 'The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony' concert includes a series of concerts scheduled to be held across the UAE. Sheikha Alya bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Director General of the UAE National Orchestra, said: 'The National Orchestra aims to celebrate the Emirati musical heritage, presenting it in a contemporary spirit to reflect the country's ambition to build a contemporary musical voice and, at the same time, reflect the national identity proud of its culture and confident in its ability to create and contribute to the global cultural landscape.' Through its first performance, the National Orchestra went beyond music to offer a comprehensive narrative that celebrates the Emirati voice and showcases diverse tracks. She added: 'The convergence of the orchestra's members, musicians and singers, symbolizes the beginning of a journey towards a national orchestra that will dialogue with its audience across the UAE.' This performance served as a launchpad for a broader musical program that was met with widespread attendance through exceptional pieces that combined local heritage with a global spirit in a unique symphonic format. The first part of the program featured an inspiring performance of Alexander Porfiry's famous 'Dance of the Cossacks' from Prince Igor in an orchestration with an Eastern touch, in addition to two pieces for the qanun accompanied by the orchestra, namely 'Alishmadim' by artist Arjan Satci and 'Kayıbulan Yıllar' by creator Sızen Aksoy. The performance also included two pieces by world-renowned oud player Naser Shammaa, 'Ishraq' and 'Journey of Souls', in collaboration with qanun player İtash Doğan and accompanied by all elements of the orchestra. The concert concluded with the premiere of 'The Beginning', an Emirati symphony composed by Nadim Tarbeya, created to honor the UAE's musical journey. The symphony was presented as a large-scale orchestral work that draws its elements from the UAE's culture, history, and environment, reshaping them within a contemporary symphonic vision. This work is based on authentic Emirati musical forms, including the coastal Al-Ayyala, Al-Ain Al-Ayyala, Al-Nadba, Muwashah Al-Azzi, and military rhythm within a contemporary musical treatment, celebrating the UAE's musical heritage and expressing its forward-looking vision. In turn, the Artistic Director and Conductor of the UAE National Orchestra Amin Qweider said: 'This concert unveiled the features of the Emirati National Orchestra, based on the fusion of Eastern and Western music, which demonstrated its ability to build a musical voice that reflects the Emirati identity and expresses the true value of music as a tool for common intercultural communication.' This was evident in all details, from the distinctive sounds of instruments characteristic of the region's cultures to the full power of the orchestra and the accompanying choir. Thus, this opening marks the beginning of a long journey for a national orchestral voice that will resonate across the UAE. A series of 'The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony' concerts are set to be launched across various emirates throughout January, with additional concerts continuing in February and March 2026 as part of the National Orchestra's first season.
