Traveling critic: Symphonic Middle East Festival, Dubai | EarRelevant

CONCERT REVIEW:

Symphonic Middle East Festival
February 13 – March 10, 2022
Dubai Opera House
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Programs listed below video.

Feb. 15: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergey Smbatyan, conductor; Mikhail Pletnev, piano.
Feb. 17: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergey Smbatyan, conductor; Jasmine Choi, flute.
Feb. 20: Tatarstan State Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Sladkovsky, conductor; Sergei Dogadin, violin.

William Ford | 28 NOV 2022

Following up on its successful inaugural season in 2021, the Symphonic Middle East Festival launched its second year of concerts, welcoming performers from across the globe.

In the video below, traveling critic William Ford reviews three orchestra concerts from the Symphonic Middle East Festival taking place in Dubai, UAE, from February 13 through March 10.

The Programs:

15 FEBRUARY @ 8:00 pm
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO)
Sergey Smbatyan, conductor; Mikhail Pletnev, piano
Alexey SHOR/arr. M. Pletnev: “From My Bookshelf” Piano Concerto
Edward ELGAR” Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 (“Enigma Variations”)
17 FEBRUARY @ 8:00 pm
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO)
Sergey Smbatyan, conductor; Jasmine Choi, flute
Kristian SCHEMBRI: Cataclysmus
Antonio VIVALDI: Flute Concerto in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3 “IL Gardellino” (RV 428)
Alexey SHOR: Flute Concerto In B♭
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
20 FEBRUARY @ 8:00 pm
Tatarstan State Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Sladkovsky, conductor; Sergei Dogadin, violin
Rashid KALIMULLIN: Symphonic Dances
Alexey SHOR: Verdiana
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13

The Symphonic Middle East Festival website can be found at: symphonicme.com ■

Dubai Opera, exterior. (source: Dubai Opera)

William Ford is an avid classical music fan and a clinical psychologist based in Atlanta. His reviews and interviews can most frequently be found online at Bachtrack and www.atlantamusiccritic.com