Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra magical performance sets tone for international music festival

By Zahraa Baqer Manama, Oct. 2 (BNA): The 31st Bahrain International Music Festival has come to life with its first concert conducted by Maestro Mubarak Najem and the Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra and fusing international classical music with Arabic music. Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) organized the dazzling evening in line with its annual celebration of the festival, featuring several phenomenal acts and performances. BACA President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and other officials were present. "Music is the language of the people and the language in which the Bahrain International Music Festival is spoken," Shaikh Khalifa said ahead of the performance. The 31st edition of the festival reflects the sustainability of the celebration of music in the Kingdom of Bahrain, he added. "In this beautiful theater, on the verge of its tenth anniversary, we extend our gratitude to the first patron of culture, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who gave the Kingdom this cultural edifice. "We also thank His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister, for the unlimited support to culture and to the people in the sector," he said. Shaikh Khalifa also had words of praise for Mubarak Najem who was launching the festival with the Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra carried the concert with extraordinary musical numbers from famous performers and musicians that featured picks from Mozart, Brahms, and Gulf music, and others by the maestro himself from many of his outstanding orchestral Bahraini tunes. "This concert will present Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra as a community of talented musicians that can perform not only local and regional pieces, but also centuries' worth of classics," Najem said. The maestro believed in engaging the audience with the orchestra, becoming one with the performance, and giving away an exceptional and magical night as the festival kicks off. "We were keen to present this diversity of musical choices in line with the Bahrain International Music Festival by playing pieces from all over the world and our own local and regional pieces," he said. The concert featured an opera performance and a special guitar performance as a special surprise to the audience. "I am a part of the audience, a part of this country, and this nation’s rise represents all of us individually. And that’s why all of our musical pieces are picked carefully enough to create this rhythmic bond between orchestra and the audience," the maestro said. The maestro's sold-out show introduced the local audience to the magic of an orchestral performance by playing local and international classics with a modern touch, capturing the hearts of a diverse audience, all mesmerized by the orchestra's magic. "It’s a great opportunity to introduce our local community to the beauty of orchestral performance and the art behind it and I’m delighted that the culture of orchestral music has widened over the years in Bahrain and introduced the Kingdom to such a sophisticated and unique culture of music," Najem added. The maestro stressed the importance of joining the people of Bahrain and the world through the power of performances and connecting with the world through the unified language of music. "I’m proud to be a part of such diverse musical talents; the Bahrain Philharmonic Orchestra is a unified spirit of extraordinary musicians that represents Bahrain’s cultural heritage and diversity, thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his peaceful coexistence initiatives. They allowed us to unite as one and represent the Kingdom’s cultural and artistic contributions globally," Najem said. The orchestra's practice paid off with exceptional recognition and amazement, spreading the magic held behind a united team of diverse performers led by the maestro's remarkable guide. "It was a pleasure to be a part of the audience as we witnessed magic behind closed doors. Mubarak Najem introduced us to the energetic power behind an orchestral performance and the etiquettes of sitting through such musical acts while enjoying every moment of it," Amina Alamer, a Bahraini member of the audience said. I am so thrilled. The performance was beyond any imagination. I have watched and liked several performances abroad, but this performance in Bahrain was like living an amazing dream," Amina Alamer said. "It was magical with pure gold voices and amazing performances. They all surpassed themselves impressively. We all oved how the maestro following the final applause by the mesmerized, added three pieces and made sure the audience interacted with them." Bahraini Maestro Mubarak Najem is internationally respected for spreading local and folkloric tunes, whose orchestral compositions reflect the spirit of his culture to the world. Having composed a number of successful songs in Bahrain at the age of thirteen, Najem gained prominence as a composer in the region at an early age. His studies in music were completed at the Conservatoire in Cairo. Najem holds the Director of Music Certificate (Higher Certificate) from the Royal Academy of Music, a Royal Academy of Music Diploma and an Associated Certificate from the Royal College of Music in London. He obtained his PhD in Arts in 2010 and his PhD in Philosophy of Folk Arts seven years later. At the Ministry of Interior, Najem is the General Director of the Bahrain Police Band. He played a significant role in the band's international popularity and reputation. He received numerous honors, awards, royal medals of honor, and prestigious local, regional, and international certificates of appreciation for his accomplishments. His contribution to enriching artistic life in the Arab world was recognized in 2016 at the Cairo Opera House among 16 Arab musical personalities. Bahrain Music Festival will run until October 7, featuring modern, local, Arab, and international music genres.