Firdaus Orchestra

Firdaus Orchestra is an initiative of Expo City Dubai, an all-women ensemble based out of the United Arab Emirates. The orchestra is named Firdaus (meaning ‘paradise’ in Arabic).^[1]^[2]

History

Firdaus Orchestra was the idea and brainchild of HE Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation & CEO Expo City Dubai and Oscar-Winning Composer, AR Rahman.^[3]

It is arguably the first all-women's orchestra based out of the United Arab Emirates. First seen at the opening ceremony of the Dubai World Expo 2020, the orchestra includes 50 spectacular women playing different instruments from across the Middle East^[4]^[5]

A.R. Rahman organized an orchestra by training a diverse group of musicians.

The orchestra plays a mix of classical, pop, and fusion music. Firdaus features traditional Middle Eastern and Indian instruments such as the qanun, the buzuq, the ney, the oud, and the sitar, along with Western orchestral instruments such as the violin, the cello, and the flute. They present performances and symphonic compositions by A.R. Rahman as well as Western orchestral harmonies and ancient melodies from the Orchestral Qawwali Project.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Projects

Debut of the recorded song 'Turkish March' on 22 September 2021.
Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony performance at Al Wasl Plaza on 21 October 2021.
The concert 'like Space, music is limitless' celebrating Space Day on 23 October 2021.
Digital release of 'Moonlight Sonata' conceptualized by A.R. Rahman.

References

[1] ttps://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2023/06/25/a-r-rahman-dubais-all-female-firdaus-orchestra-is-groundbreaking/

[2] ttps://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/music/all-female-firdaus-orchestra-from-uae-587529.html

[3] ttps://www.siasat.com/ar-rahmans-all-female-firdaus-orchestra-set-to-perform-at-expo-city-dubai-2454635/

[4] ttps://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2023/06/25/a-r-rahman-dubais-all-female-firdaus-orchestra-is-groundbreaking/

[5] ttps://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/music/all-female-firdaus-orchestra-from-uae-587529.html

[6] ttps://rollingstoneindia.com/a-r-rahmans-firdaus-orchestra-shines-bright-at-expo-2020-dubai/

[7] ttps://english.alarabiya.net/life-style/art-and-culture/2023/06/21/Expo-City-Dubai-s-Firdaus-Orchestra-celebrates-World-Music-Day-with-tribute-to-Brahms

[8] ttps://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2022/11/15/female-firdaus-orchestra-to-make-expo-city-dubai-debut-this-week/

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