(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera I The Peninsula
DOHA: The Chamber Music Society of Qatar (CMSQ) and the embassies of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom yesterday announced the launch of the International Chamber Music Concert Series for Peace and Unity.
The series will see the six diplomatic missions bring world class artistes to Qatar to perform alongside well-known Doha-based musicians to inspire the local community and promote unity and peace through a celebration of each of the country's unique art and culture.
'Music brings us all together and it kindles in us great values such as love, self-belief, empathy, solidarity non-violence, peace and unity among others. Music is an eloquent, comprehensive language that allows us to express what is happening inside us and around us, and helps us reflect upon the times and circumstances in which we live today, concert pianist Sonja Park, co-founder of the recently established CMSQ, said at a press conference yesterday at Mondrian Doha Hotel.
Dutch Ambassador Dr. Bahia Tahzib-Lie shared similar view, saying, 'Music has such a strong convening power that brings people from all different backgrounds together and makes people realise that the interests that we share together are far stronger that the forces that drive us apart. Music can help facilitate unity and peace, values that every member of the European Union is working for every single day.
Park said CMSQ was founded to create a platform for world class concerts to be held in an intimate setting.
'Through these concerts, we would like to create an unparalleled intimate experience for both the performing artistes and the audience, thereby intensifying the magical exchange of emotions and moods between them, she added.
For the kick-off of the series, the French Embassy brings to Qatar mezzo-soprano Ambroisine Bre, one of opera's fast-rising stars, who will be performing along with prominent Doha-based musicians Sonja Park (piano), Dmitri Torchinsky (violin) and Hassan Moataz El Molla (cello). Titled 'Centenary of Claude Debussy, the concert will take place on April 17 at 7pm at Mondrian Doha and feature masterpieces by the acclaimed French composer who died 100 years ago.
The concert is free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and supports Moving Young Artists (MYA), a non-profit foundation which nurtures young talents in Qatar while promoting appreciation of classical music. Concert-goers may make donations at the show to benefit MYA.
'We wanted this concert to be accessible to all, so entry is free. We wish to encourage the development of music sector in Qatar and support Moving Young Artists which will organise the second edition of Qatar National Music Competition in October, said French Ambassador Eric Chevallier.
British Ambassador Ajay Sharma said the Embassy will invite an up-and-coming British musician to perform in Doha for this initiative.
'Music is a powerful tool that brings people together, across languages, cultures and borders. Qatar and the UK already enjoy strong musical links, and through these events we hope to inspire a new generation of musicians, Sharma said.
Expressing pleasure at the Belgian embassy's participation in the concert series, Belgian Ambassador to Qatar Bart De Groof said, 'It's not too widely known that Belgium has a rich heritage of composers who wrote intimate music for small audiences, taking delight in the universality of the language of music. Belgium as a small-scale country produced some of the finest small-scale masterpieces.
Austrian Ambassador Dr Willy Kempel, said, 'Music is the external language of our inner feelings, thus connecting us to ourselves and the world around us in more than one way.
Those who wish to watch next week's concert may book their place at http://institutfrancais-qatar.com or contact [email protected]
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