DOHA: ‘East Meets West’, the second in a series of chamber music concerts by the Friends of American School of Doha (ASD), proved music transcends borders and limits as famous MAqam ensemble played oriental music exploring different styles from various eras in western music.

Formed in Vienna three years ago, MAqam who featured in the concert last night at the ASD Fine Arts Theater comprised Maria Arnaout and composer MAias Alyamani (violin), Hassan Moataz El Molla (cello), Houssam Haggag (double bass), and Rami Ghassan (percussion).

The group left a lasting impression on the audience as they started the show by dramatically unveiling the rich history of western music by playing a single theme in different original techniques of musical greats through various periods.

Playing the popular theme ‘Brother Jacob’, the group wowed music lovers as they demystified music through the Polyphonic Era’s style of Johann Sebastian Bach, Classical Period’s Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Romantic Period’s Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Strauss, and Neoclassical Era’s Dmitri Shostakovich.

Adding to the appreciation of different musical styles was explanations provided by Maria Arnaout in the course of the concert.

Through the extraordinary talent of composer and violinist MAias Alyamani who leads the group, traditional oriental musical compositions were given new flavour and modern ones more colour.

Originating from Egypt, Iraq, Turkey and Syria; the opera comprised Longa Ryad, Dance, Tahmil Hejaz, Helwa Ya Baladi, Zaido Almarjeh, On the Sea Waves, and Longa Nahawand. One of the highlights of the concert was one of the many untitled compositions by Alyamani inspired by gypsy music with traces of Turkish, Arabian and Indian influences.

“MAlyamani is not fond of naming his compositions because music could not be defined by words,” explained Arnaout.

The audience just adored Turkish ‘Spoon Dance’ which was uniquely played with some whistling sound created by the musicians.

The traditional rhythmic dance was originally performed by girls using wooden spoons, hence the name. Knowing the fascination of the audience the band played the piece for the second time in their encore.

Sponsored by ibq; the concert series which runs till May next year, incorporates classical, opera, operetta and traditional folk music, featuring world-renowned talents. The Peninsula