Chineke! Orchestra: Arabic Symphony

The Ayoub Sisters’ celebration of Arabic music and landscapes tops a kaleidoscopic concert that takes in works by composers from Ravel to Valerie Coleman. Valerie Coleman’s Umoja – the Swahili word for ‘unity’ – opens tonight’s concert. Originally composed as a simple song for women’s choir, the orchestral version brings an expansion and sophistication to the short and sweet melody, dancing and weaving throughout the instrument families. A single oboe tells a story in Shepherd’s Song. Composer Ali Osman gives voice to solitude and landscape through flowing, folk-inspired melodies. Grammy Award-winning soprano Axelle Fanyo is the soloist for Ravel’s musical fantasy Shéhérazade. Emmy-nominated composer Kareem Roustom blends Middle Eastern traditions with contemporary colours in Ramal. Closing the concert is the English premiere of The Ayoub Sisters’ Arabic Symphony, a celebration of their Egyptian heritage giving a flavour of the Middle East with a classical sound.