The Marvels of Saudi Music Forge Global Dialogue Through Harmony Ahead of London Show

From the very first notes of the Saudi Arabian National Orchestra and Chorus of Frank Sinatra's 'Fly Me to the Moon' at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, a remarkable dialogue emerged. This unique blend of cultures unfolded into a single iconic melody, brought to life by the decoration of the ney – a traditional and widely loved Arabian reed. In harmony with the timeless lyrics, the Saudi choir members added a rich layer of depth, creating a captivating conversation that bridged musical geographies.

Launched in 2021 under the auspices of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Music Commission, Prince Badr, “The Marvels of the Saudi Orchestra and Choir” series has successfully repeated three global performances — Paris (2022), Mexico City ( 2023) and New York (2023) — each time collaborating with a renowned cultural institute from its host city. Now, in 2024, the Saudi Arabian Orchestra and Chorus will travel to London for a performance on September 28 at London's iconic Central Hall Westminster, alongside the UK's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

At a press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 8, Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Music Commission, emphasized the orchestra's ability to achieve multiple outcomes at once, including “showing the world how Saudi music can sit alongside any music from anywhere in the world on the biggest stages with the most prestigious cultural institutions worldwide,” he says. In this way, Saudi Arabia can take its “place of pride” as it continues to break away from traditions and influences in the Kingdom's 13 regions.

It highlights the unique power of music to “transcend cultural and linguistic barriers”, enabling musicians to connect and audiences to experience different sounds. This ambition is evident in their global exchanges, including performances with the Orchester Philharmonique International de Paris, the Carlos Chavez Orchestra in Mexico City and the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars in New York.

Through world premieres that reached far beyond live audiences, the orchestra left a lasting mark on Saudi culture. While hundreds attended in person, more tuned in to live streams, causing the comments sections of these shows to buzz with pride and excitement as Saudis celebrated their artists shining on historic stages.

Stage 1: Paris, France – Saudi tunes dazzle in the 'City of Lights'

Their journey on the road began with a remarkable performance in Paris on October 7, 2022, entitled “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, in part with the Orchester Philharmonique International de Paris. This historic event saw the Saudi orchestra – featuring 22 musicians and 40 singers – embark on a classical musical dialogue celebrating the depth of Saudi folklore and contemporary heritage. In a reciprocal move, the Orchester Philharmonique International de Paris premiered 'Jeddah City', composed by Antonio Bernardi. The interplay of performances unfolded as a fascinating historical narrative, with each piece of music eloquently articulating its own chapter in history.

Unlike Western orchestras, the Saudi Arabian National Orchestra and Choir incorporate various traditional instruments that hold a notable place in the genealogy of Saudi music, be it Yesthe oud or the rebab. Despite the challenge of incorporating instruments like the rebab, which has no standard tuning, the orchestra is committed to promoting these “traditional instruments in a more contemporary setting,” says Pacifico. We see this play out in the exchange between the Saudi Arabian Orchestra and the French Philharmonic in their joint performance of “Habanera”, from the famous opera Carmen.

Stage 2: Mexico City, Mexico – Ballet Folklórico de México and “Above the Clouds”

In June 2023, just one year after its debut, the orchestra and choir made an impressive appearance in Mexico City. This grand performance featured 33 musicians, 39 singers and 40 performers from the performing arts troupe, all under the direction of conductor Riab Ahmed, who succeeded the late Mohammed Amin Qari. The concert was a vibrant celebration of Saudi Arabia's musical heritage, featuring iconic compositions by respected artists such as Tariq Abdul-Hakim, Mohammed Abdu and Bashir Shanan. These classics were delivered with a masterful blend of classical elegance and energetic rhythms, capturing the essence of traditional and popular Saudi art.

The National Orchestra and Choir of Saudi Arabia were joined by the Mexican Orchestra Carlos Chávez, conducted by Maestro Roberto Renteria Yrene, and the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. This collaboration resulted in a musical experience that bridged the two cultures and languages, instead proposing a collective narrative through song and performance. They ended the evening with a heartfelt rendition of 'Above the Clouds', with lyrics by poet Badr Bin Abdul Muhsin and music by Mohammed Abdu. The song, imbued with deep affection for Saudi Arabia since the late 1980s, has transcended time and geography to be performed by new generations on the other side of the world at this historic moment.

Stage 3: New York, New York – “Fly Me to the Moon” and the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars

On September 17, 2023, New York's Metropolitan Opera House hosted the orchestra and chorus, a performance that achieved a remarkable level of sophistication in an extremely short time. The performance featured a large ensemble of 80 musicians from the Saudi Arabian National Orchestra and Choir, supplemented by 60 performers from the Theater and Performing Arts Committee. Spectators were treated to fascinating performances of various art forms including Liwa, Dana, Khatwa, Majrour, Samri, Rabash and Yanbuawi.

The presentation included a strong presentation of local costumes, reflecting the rich geographical and historical aesthetics of the region. Notable moments included the performers' rhythmic interaction with a green barrel, which carried political and economic symbolism, and the final presentation of the song “al-Mujded”, which celebrated the visionary who brought Saudi creativity to the international stage.

The orchestra embraced the opportunity to celebrate the unique charm and rich history of New York by presenting an unforgettable performance to the Metropolitan Opera audience. In collaboration with the legendary American jazz group Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, they delivered a complete jazz section enriched with Saudi Arabian instrumental embellishments and expressions. The highlight of the evening was the outstanding young Saudi soprano Reemaz Oqbi, with her multilingual performances of iconic arias in English, French and Italian. The concert concluded with a celebration of the pioneers of contemporary Saudi music such as Mohammed Abdu and Etab, highlighting their significant contributions that have shaped the country's musical landscape over the decades.

Stage 4: London, England – A new scene and fresh horizons

This year, marking Saudi Arabia's 95th National Day, the orchestra and chorus will embark on their fourth international iteration, taking to the stage at Central Hall, Westminster, in the heart of London. This edition, which features 98 Saudi musicians, aims to showcase additional layers of the Kingdom's diverse musical heritage. The concert will continue to offer an exciting mix of classical and contemporary interpretations of Saudi Arabian musical traditions. Notably, this performance will feature a collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned opera singer Dame Sarah Connolly, adding an anticipated cultural dimension to the evening.

On September 28, the National Orchestra and Choir of Saudi Arabia will continue to explore new symphonic directions, discovering its unique voice and the confidence to spark conversations rooted in harmony. As the orchestra and choir present their latest work, all eyes are on London this month in anticipation of the live tunes that will begin an exciting new chapter of the 'Marvels of Saudi Music'. This celebration of creativity and collaboration promises to inspire while connecting audiences through the universal language of music.