Sheikh Abdullah Attends UAE National Orchestra Debut Concert

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 17, 2026:

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the landmark debut concert of the UAE National Orchestra on Thursday evening at the Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi, marking the official launch of the Orchestra’s inaugural season.

The concert, titled The Beginning, represented a significant cultural milestone, bringing together 70 musicians and a 30-member choir for the Orchestra’s first full public performance. Senior dignitaries, ministers from across the Emirates, ambassadors, cultural leaders and invited guests were present at the event. The evening concluded with prolonged applause and a standing ovation, reflecting the audience’s strong response and the significance of the occasion.

The inaugural performance paid tribute to Emirati musical heritage through a specially created opening show that traced the origins of music in the UAE. Designed as a symbolic journey through rhythm, melody, voice and place, the performance highlighted how music in the UAE emerged from poetry, memory, community traditions and the natural environment.

Drawing inspiration from traditional musical forms such as Taghrooda, Al-Ayyala, Al-Ahalla and Nadba, the opening segment illustrated how early expressions of sound conveyed stories of endurance, unity and belonging. It emphasised the role of music in preserving heritage, strengthening social bonds and shaping collective identity across generations. The opening performance set the cultural context for the concert and will continue as part of The Beginning concert series across the Emirates.

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State and Chairperson of the UAE National Orchestra, said that music plays a vital role in connecting people and strengthening a shared sense of belonging. She noted that the UAE National Orchestra was established as a national institution to celebrate Emirati identity, honour cultural heritage and reflect the confidence and unity of the nation. She added that the debut concert marked the beginning of a long-term cultural journey for the orchestra.

Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra, said the orchestra reflects the UAE’s cultural pride and forward-looking vision. She stated that the debut concert was not only a presentation of music but also an acknowledgement of the roots from which the nation’s sound has evolved.

Following the opening performance, the audience experienced a programme that brought together Arabic and Western musical traditions in a symphonic format. The first half included Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor in an oriental orchestral arrangement, along with Alisamadim by Ercan Saatçi and Kaybolan Yıllar by Sezen Aksu, arranged for qanun and orchestra.

The programme also featured Ishraq and Journey of Souls by renowned oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma, performed with qanun soloist Aytaç Doğan and the full orchestra.

The concert concluded with the world premiere of The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony composed by Nadim Tarabay. The symphony was written as a tribute to the UAE’s musical heritage and draws inspiration from the nation’s culture, history and landscape. The composition is rooted in traditional Emirati musical forms, including Ayyalat Al-Ain, Ayyalat Al Sahiliya, Nadbet Al Shehouh, Harbiyya Razfa and Mawal Al Azi, reinterpreted through a contemporary symphonic framework.

Artistic Director and Conductor Amine Kouider said the concert represented a declaration of the UAE National Orchestra’s musical identity, bringing Arabic and Western traditions together to reflect the spirit of the UAE.

Following its debut in Abu Dhabi, The Beginning concert series will continue across the Emirates throughout January, with additional performances scheduled in February and March 2026 as part of the UAE National Orchestra’s inaugural season.