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European Union Youth Orchestra to perform at Abu Dhabi fest

The orchestra's concert is one of the six performances planned for festival's main programme.

The Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) 2014 is all geared up to welcome some of Europe’s most talented young musicians to perform in the region for the first time. The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) signed a letter of cooperation with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) yesterday.

The concert is taking place today at the Emirates Palace auditorium. “ADMAF endeavours to provide youth with the necessary tools and skills that embed creative innovation within them for the benefit of the nation’s knowledge-based economy,” said Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of ADMAF, which organises ADF.

As with previous ADMAF cooperations, which include Carnegie Hall and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, it is expected that EUYO will be seen for future performances in Abu Dhabi, as well as music educational programmes with students here.

For this March, EUYO’s concert is one of the six performances planned for ADF’s main programme. The 11-year-old festival used to feature several performances weekly for a full month, but this year ADF kept busy for much of March with educational arts programmes for school and university students.

There was no big orchestra for an opening gala night, but the first performance, which took place on Friday, was worthy of a standing ovation.

The legendary Herbie Hancock, one of the world’s most renowned contemporary jazz musicians, conquered the hearts of Emirates Palace audience.

“An innovator of musical interpretation and modern jazz, Herbie Hancock embodies this year’s festival theme Creative Innovation. His individuality and unrelenting innovation within the music industry has inspired young musicians the world over and we’re so proud to be able to bring that inspiration to the youth of the UAE,” said Al Khamis Kanoo after the concert.

Hancock’s performance of acoustic piano and electric keyboard of funk jazz with electronic notes, was accompanied by a guest vocalist, UAE’s Hamdan Al Abri.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com

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