October
Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Though your chance to see the orchestra proper came and went earlier this week, there’s still the opportunity to catch the Dutch group’s musical prodigies doing their thing at the series’ first young person’s concert on Thursday, October 7 at 11am. They’ll be delivering a rendition of Richard Wagner’s moving Siegfried Idyll; originally written by the German composer back in 1870 to commemorate the arrival of his son. Conducting duties fall to Jacob Slagter, who also plays horns with the adult version of the orchestra.
November
Berlin Philharmonic
If you catch just one performance this season, make sure this is it. Regarded as the greatest orchestra in the world by much of the classical music media, this is a rare opportunity to witness the unflinchingly charismatic Sir Simon Rattle lead his energetic ensemble through the symphonies of Haydn, Brahms and others. The evening will mark the first time the German group has performed in the region since a 1975 appearance in Tehran, and their debut in the UAE. Meaning classical appreciators who miss out could be kicking themselves for decades to come.
January
Daniel Barenboim
He’s the man who’s best known for promoting peace through his work with the East-Western Divan Orchestra – a collective made up of young Arab and Jewish musicians. But for his visit to the capital in the new year the Argentine-born conductor is supported by the highly talented Staatskapelle Berlin, a group of musicians whose day job involves performing with the Berlin State Opera. Mozart’s piano concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 are both on the agenda, making this your ideal opportunity to catch some of the most iconic pieces in the classical canon right here in the capital.
March
Yo-Yo Ma
You’ll need to make the trip out to Al Ain, but, as anyone privileged enough to enjoy the classical events held there last year will tell you, the historic surroundings of Al Jahili fort alone make the journey worthwhile. This Grammy award-winning cellist is the likely highlight of a three-night run that also includes an appearance from Italy’s Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale, with the American promising to demonstrate exactly why he’s currently regarded as the world’s greatest cellist. Classical newcomers will be in awe, aficionados dumbstruck.
May
BBC Concert Orchestra
It may be a long way off yet, but we reckon the closing night of this year’s programme is worth booking in for nice and early. Headed up by renowned American maestro Keith Lockhart, the London-based group’s climactic show takes on a stage-and-screen theme, with pieces taken from the scores of Broadway shows and Hollywood movies. And for our money, the very prospect of hearing a snatch of The Empire Strikes Back in the comfort of the Middle East’s most palatial music hall is something to get very excited about indeed.
Head to www.abudhabiclassics.com to view the full line-up, and keep an eye on TOAD in the coming months for more details about individual upcoming shows. Tickets for all Abu Dhabi Classics events are available from www.timeouttickets.com
