It was an absolute pleasure to be in Chicago for the regional premiere of my ‘Ramal’ for orchestra which was performed by the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra under Fawzi Haimor. Despite the very stormy weather earlier in the day, the clouds cleared and approximately 4000 people attended the concert that also featured music by… read more
Uncategorized
World and regional premieres coming up in Boston, Hamburg, Brussels, London, Chicago, Berlin and New Hampshire
Late winter (if it can be called a winter) and spring are shaping up nicely with a number of concerts coming up. March begins with the world premiere of my ‘Aleppo Songs’ for solo piano by Thomas Stumpf. This concert will take place at the beautiful Distler Hall in Boston on the campus of Tufts… read more
“Aleppo Songs” for solo piano will be available in early 2017
Aleppo Songs for solo piano is a reflection on a number of urban folk songs from Aleppo, known as qudud, as well as original material. All profits from sheet music sales as well as royalties generated from 2016 – 2018 performances will be donated to Doctors Without Borders to support their work in the Middle… read more
The Boston Globe previews “Traces” Boston premiere
I’m grateful to David Weininger for his preview of tomorrow’s Boston premiere of my Traces sextet with pianist Sally Pinkas, clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and the Apple Hill String Quartet.
Words and pictures from August 2016, a summer of orchestras: Philharmonia Orchestra at Abbey Road, Boston Landmarks Orchestra & Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra
It was an absolute thrill to be at Abbey Road Studios this August working with the fantastic musicians of the Philharmonia Orchestra. We had two days of tracking for an album project that I am producing/composing/arranging whose details I will announce in 2017. “Armenian Dances” for Orchestra The Boston Landmarks Orchestra commissioned me to write… read more
Armenian Dances and the echoes of genocide
What’s behind this number? This is a page from my Armenian Dances; an arrangement of traditional dances from the Vasbouragan region of Armenia for the Landmarks Orchestra and Sayat Nova Dance Company. The parts and score finally were completed and delivered today; the same day that the German government recognizes the Armenian genocide. There are… read more
“Embroidered Verses” CD available now
I’m very excited to share the news that a fantastic recording of my new work “Embroidered Verses” for the Crossing Choir, directed by Donald Nally, and the Al-Bustan Takht, directed by Hanna Khoury, is now available here. This is a work that combines my love for the classical Arabic song & poetic form called muwashshahaat… read more
Donald Runnicles to give the US premiere of Ramal for orchestra @the 2016 Grand Teton Music Festival
I’m very honored, grateful and excited that maestro Donald Runnicles and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra will give the premiere of my Ramal at the 2016 GTMF. Maestro Runnicles is the music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where I recently heard him direct a very powerful performance of Lohengrin, the chief conductor at the… read more
Donald Nally & Hanna Khoury discuss the role of tradition in learning and performing ‘Embroidered Verses’
Thank you to the Pew Arts & Heritage Trust for supporting the Words Adorned project which included the commissioning of my ‘Embroidered Verses’ for SATB & Arabic chamber group. Watch this insightful discussion between maestros Nally and Khoury here.
Review of Philadelphia premiere of ‘Embroidered Verses’
This past Sunday, December 5th saw the world premiere of my ‘Embroidered Verses’ for The Crossing choir, under Donald Nally, and the Al-Bustan takht ensemble. It was a very special concert that featured another new work by composer Kinan Abou-Afach and the powerful and emotive voice of Dalal Abu Amneh. David Patrick Stearns described the… read more
‘Tesserae’ for brass quintet to be premiered in Buenos Aires by the West-Eastern Divan Brass
My new work, ‘Tesserae’ for brass quintet, will be premiered on August 2nd in Buenos Aires by the West-Eastern Divan Brass quintet. The premiere will be followed by two more concerts on August 5th & 6th. Centro Islámico República Argentina / Avenida San Juan 3053. Domingo 2 de agosto a las 20:30 horas. Concierto de… read more
Pittsburgh Symphony performs Roustom’s ‘Dabke’ for string orchestra
As part of the Music for the Spirit concert series. Details here.