Clarinettist Martin Fröst performs as part of Emirates NBD Classics Season IV. Courtesy Mats Bäcker
Clarinettist Martin Fröst performs as part of Emirates NBD Classics Season IV. Courtesy Mats Bäcker

Our guide to classical music concerts coming to Dubai



This weekend, we can celebrate as the cultural calendar gets back in full swing with the return of two popular classical-music concert programmes.

On Thursday, September 10the World Classical Music Series returns with a concert by The French Wind Quartet.

Known for showcasing renowned western classical chamber ensembles, the series has been crafted as a partnership between promoters M Premiere and the long-running Dubai Concert Committee.

The latter formerly hosted regular concerts at Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (Ductac) – where, incidentally, a new season of Emirates NBD Classics begins on Friday.

This fourth season of the Classics begins with a loud (if ­pretty-sounding) bang, courtesy of a recital by renowned Swedish clarinettist Martin Fröst.

However, this series promises an altogether different recipe, with a programme that focuses on classical and world-music performers from all around the globe, including India, Lebanon and Iran.

Here’s what you can look forward to from both ­programmes between now and the end of the year.

World Classical Music Series

The French Wind Quintet (Thursday, September 10))

The self-aggrandising name here rings true – all five members of The French Wind Quintet have achieved the highest honours from the Paris Music Academy, where they teach tomorrow's stars. Collectively, they have studied under maestros including Rampal, Pierlot, Portal, Audin and Barboteu.

As soloists, the members have appeared with the Orchestre National de France and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. On Thursday, September 10, they perform a programme of works by Mozart, Rossini, Taffanel, Ravel and Ligeti, in a concert backed by the Alliance Française Dubai.

The Piano Quartet (October 9)

The Munich-based Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra enjoy an esteemed reputation worldwide. They were ranked sixth on a list of "the world's greatest orchestras" by the British music magazine Gramophone in 2008, and fourth in a similar list by the Japanese music magazine Mostly Classic in 2010. The Piano Quartet bring together four soloists from the orchestra for an intimate chamber recital: violinist Daniel Nodel, violist Benedict Hames, cellist Hanno Simons and pianist Milana Chernyavska. They will perform three complete quartets from Mahler, Mozart and Brahms.

Night of Opera (November 7)

The full programme for this populist opera pick ’n’ mix is yet to be announced, but it seems a safe bet that we can expect stripped-back, chamber-style renditions of familiar arias from the masters. Italian soprano Susanna Branchini will be joined by mezzo-soprano Renata Lamanda and tenor Massimiliano Pisapia, under the direction of pianist and conductor Marco Boemi.

Vazgen Vartanian (December 11)

Russian pianist Vartanian's pedigree is outstanding – he studied at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and New York's Juilliard school. The prodigy has toured the world and collaborated with musicians and conductors including Valery Gergiev, Mikhail Pletnev, Yuri Bashmet and Nikolai Petrov, as well as American composer Lukas Foss. Vartanian is known for his interpretations of romantic masters Chopin, Schumann and Liszt, captured on last year's eponymous CD release. In Dubai, he will perform three late, relatively obscure Beethoven sonatas – numbers 28, 30 and 32 – as well as Schubert's Sonata in B-flat major, and a selection of Liszt Études.

All concerts are at One&Only Royal Mirage at 8pm. For more information, visit www.mpremiere.com. Tickets are Dh250 from platinumlist.ae

Emirates NBD Classics Season IV

Martin Fröst (Friday, September 11))

Stockholm-born Fröst, a heavy-hitter on the classical-­music scene with more than 20 recordings to his name, is a resounding, inclusive way to launch the season’s typically diverse programme. As well as reinterpreting familiar repertoire, the clarinettist has worked to move the music forward, as the recipient of a long list of special commissions, including works by Anders Hillborg, Krzysztof Penderecki and Kalevi Aho. His two-hour performance promises to be a mix of crowd-pleasing favourites from his repertoire, including works by Brahms, Bartók and Schumann.

Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (October 2)

Indian-music pioneer Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is renowned for inventing his own unique instrument, the "Mohan Veena", a 19-string slide guitar-harp made from a modified Hawaiian guitar. His unique sound and style has been showcased on more than 40 albums of musical fusions. Internationally, Bhatt, 64, is best known for A Meeting by the River, an album of sensational 1993 crossover duo recordings with American blues legend Ry Cooder that was rewarded with a Grammy.

Charbel Rouhana (November 6)

For lovers of instrumental Arabian music, and those curious about the region’s traditions, this is not to be missed. Lebanese musician Rouhana is one of the most-established contemporary oud players in the world, credited with helping spearhead a renewed interest in the renaissance period of Oriental-Arabian music, ushered in through innovative approaches to ancient instruments. He has collaborated with fellow oud luminaries, including Marcel Khalife and Elie Khoury, while his academic writings on the subject have advocated an influential new methodology to approaching the instrument.

DastanEnsemble (December 4)

True to its mission statement of shedding light on classical traditions from around the globe, here the programme turns its gaze to Persia. Founded in 1991, the DastanEnsemble claim to boast some of the modern masters of classical Persian music. The quintet features barbat player Hossein Behroozinia, tar and setarist Hamid Motebassem, kamancheh player Saeed Farajpouri and percussionists Pejman Hadadi and Behnam Samani. A rare chance to unlock the traditions of the UAE’s geographic neighbour.

All concerts are at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, at 8pm. For more information, visit ductac.org. Tickets are from Dh150 at platinumlist.ae

rgarratt@thenational.ae

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%3Cp%3EVara%20will%20cater%20to%20three%20categories%20of%20companies%20in%20Dubai%20(except%20the%20DIFC)%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20A%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Minimum%20viable%20product%20(MVP)%20applicants%20that%20are%20currently%20in%20the%20process%20of%20securing%20an%20MVP%20licence%3A%20This%20is%20a%20three-stage%20process%20starting%20with%20%5B1%5D%20a%20provisional%20permit%2C%20graduating%20to%20%5B2%5D%20preparatory%20licence%20and%20concluding%20with%20%5B3%5D%20operational%20licence.%20Applicants%20that%20are%20already%20in%20the%20MVP%20process%20will%20be%20advised%20by%20Vara%20to%20either%20continue%20within%20the%20MVP%20framework%20or%20be%20transitioned%20to%20the%20full%20market%20product%20licensing%20process.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20B%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Existing%20legacy%20virtual%20asset%20service%20providers%20prior%20to%20February%207%2C%202023%2C%20which%20are%20required%20to%20come%20under%20Vara%20supervision.%20All%20operating%20service%20proviers%20in%20Dubai%20(excluding%20the%20DIFC)%20fall%20under%20Vara%E2%80%99s%20supervision.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20C%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20New%20applicants%20seeking%20a%20Vara%20licence%20or%20existing%20applicants%20adding%20new%20activities.%20All%20applicants%20that%20do%20not%20fall%20under%20Category%20A%20or%20B%20can%20begin%20the%20application%20process%20through%20their%20current%20or%20prospective%20commercial%20licensor%20%E2%80%94%20the%20DET%20or%20Free%20Zone%20Authority%20%E2%80%94%20or%20directly%20through%20Vara%20in%20the%20instance%20that%20they%20have%20yet%20to%20determine%20the%20commercial%20operating%20zone%20in%20Dubai.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

RACE SCHEDULE

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm

Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm

Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm

Du Football Champions

The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Left Bank: Art, Passion and Rebirth of Paris 1940-1950

Agnes Poirer, Bloomsbury

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

What is graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.

It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties. 

 

Leap of Faith

Michael J Mazarr

Public Affairs

Dh67
 

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 

3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

SCORES IN BRIEF

New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Key developments in maritime dispute

2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier. 

2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus

2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.

2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.

2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.

Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?

Some facts about bees:

The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer

The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days

A queen bee lives for 3-5 years

This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony

About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive

Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.

Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen 

Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids

Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments

Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive,  protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts

Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain

Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities

The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes

Is beekeeping dangerous?

As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.

“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”

 

 

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Syria squad

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.