As a part of La Virée Classique, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) presents

Mediterranean Landscapes

The music of Egyptian-born composer and oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros draws from the wellsprings of Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions. Join him and Ensemble Obiora on a journey through vibrant, occasionally striking, but always resplendent, musical landscapes. Starting in Albéniz’s Spain, the voyage wraps up in Italy with Tchaikovsky’s fiery Souvenir de Florence, directed by Rafael Payare.

Artists
Rafael Payare, conductor

Ensemble Obiora

Created in March 2021, in Montreal, by Allison Migeon (General Manager) and Brandyn Lewis (Artistic Director), Ensemble Obiora is the first Canadian classical music ensemble, composed essentially of professional musicians from culturally diverse backgrounds. Ensemble Obiora’s mission is to promote musicians from different cultural backgrounds in order to increase their representation on the classical music scene, and to program works by composers from different origins whose music is little known or little considered.

Founded on the 3D principle – Diversity, Discovery and Diffusion – Ensemble Obiora’s ambition is to breathe new life and diversity into classical music in Canada, to create a sense of belonging within hitherto under-represented communities, and to inspire the next generation of classical musicians.

Joseph Tawadros, oud

Joseph Tawadros is one of the world’s leading oud performers and composers, his style of playing fuses the Arabic Maqam system with western jazz and improvisation. His drive to push musical boundaries has led to collaborations with renowned performers including Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan, Zakir Hussain, Sultan Khan, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette and Richard Bona. He has recorded 14 albums and is known for his brilliant technique, deep musicianship and joyous style of performance as well as his solid repertoire of innovative, original music. Joseph tours extensively regularly headlining across Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East.

Joseph Tawadros is acknowledged for expanding the oud’s notoriety in mainstream western culture and he’s also received recognition in the Arab world, appearing on the judging panel of the Damascus International Oud competition in 2009, and taking part in Istanbul’s first Oud festival in 2010.

In June 2023, Joseph released his 20th studio recording, a solo album “To Those Who Came Before Us”. Drawing upon the ancient music tradition of taqasim, Joseph attempts a soulful meditative hour long improvisation in this tradition. After 20 albums, this will be the greatest feat of solo creativity, a long extended solo work using the Arabic madam system and the other influences picked up in his 20 year recording career.

Program
Isaac ALBÉNIZ, Suite española no. 1, op. 47: V. Asturias (6 min)
Joseph TAWADROS, Eye of the Beholder (5 min)
Joseph TAWADROS, Point of Departure (7 min)
Karim AL-ZAND, Luctus Profugis, lament for string orchestra and percussion (6 min)
Joseph TAWADROS, Sleight of Hand (6 min)
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY, Souvenir de Florence, op. 70 (35 min)

Maison symphonique
Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 4:30pm

To purchase your tickets, visit: www.placedesarts.com