The New York Arabic Orchestra returns to Tilles Center with an all-new program, entirely different and diverse in its themes of love, heartbreak, nostalgia and resistance. The performance will include original pieces, including one by NYAO's late founder Bassam Saba, entitled Chou Kan Hilo (How Beautiful It Was), compositions from the golden era of Arabic music as well as more recent ones.
The audience can also expect to hear really traditional ways of performing Arabic music, which features open improvisations and more fluid arrangements, as well as other pieces that are arranged in a more contemporary way with elaborate harmonies and structures. The countries represented in the program will be Iraq, Egypt and Lebanon - but some melodic and rhythmic elements from the whole region will also be present. The orchestra will consist of vocalists Nano Raies of Syria and Kareem Youssef of Lebanon, an array of musicians performing on traditional instruments includung the Nay, Oud and Qanun, as well as violin, piano, bass and percussion. To add to this special afternoon, New York Arabic Orchestra will also be joined by students of Long Island University's Music Department.