The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) will perform at open-air concerts across Doha, including the FIFA Fan Zones, Corniche, Oxygen Park and Katara Amphitheater come the biggest sporting event, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
This was revealed by QPO Executive Director, Kurt Meister, on Saturday. Altogether, eight to ten concerts will be held outdoors. “We will have smaller groups in the fan zones with the brass section or with the string sections to welcome the football guests.”
The concerts' themes will include well-known football songs from throughout the world, Gulf folk music, Arab-themed music, as well as compositions that have been orchestrated by the Philharmonic. “We have made arrangements for famous songs and also the most famous football songs from different countries.”
In an earlier interview with Nasser Sahim, QPO Deputy Executive Director, he said that a similar concert which was held in August entitled “Gulf folk meets Philharmonic” will be performed during the mega football tournament.
He highlighted that the upcoming concerts are intended for residents and visitors to the World Cup, providing them an opportunity to enjoy and experience “traditional folk music in orchestration style”. Over one million football fans are expected to visit the country for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the upcoming concerts of the Philharmonic this September include The Philharmonic at the Library: Schubert Octet. This is the first concert of the Philharmonic at the Library Series 2022-23. Eight members of the QPO will join forces to perform Schubert’s Octet in F Major. This beloved titan of the chamber music repertoire consists of six movements and with warmth of expression and lyrical beauty from first note to the last. It will be held on Wednesday, September 14.
This will then be followed by the Peter and the Wolf on September 16 at Hamilton International School Theatre at Mesaimeer. The story of Peter and the Wolf is told by a narrator, with the orchestra musically illustrating the events that unfold for the audience.
And the Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 will take place on September 23, also at Hamilton International School Theatre. Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor is one of his few works written in a minor key and represents his stormiest concerto. The piece was the first of six stunning pieces composed for piano and orchestra between 1785 and 1786. Tickets are available through QPO website.
