PATHWAYS THROUGH CLASSICAL MUSIC THE ROYAL OMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

PATHWAYS THROUGH CLASSICAL MUSIC THE ROYAL OMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conductor HAMDAN AL SHAELY Soloist Qaisar Al Abri, Flute PROGRAMME WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 – 1791) Overture from The Marriage of Figaro Flute concerto in D Major I. Allegro Aperto II. Adagio ma non troppo III. Rondeau Allegro Arr. LEIF SUNDSTRUP (1970) Lullaby from The Secret Garden JOHANNES SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 – 1750) Air on the G String from Suite no. 3 RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872 – 1958) Fantasia on Greensleeves JOHANN PACHELBEL (1653 – 1706) Canon for Strings GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Minuet from Hercules Minuet from Berenice HAMDAN AL SHAELY (1970) Two Turkish themes from Altushal Ghazi THE ROYAL OMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA In 1985, His Majesty the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour (1940 – 2020) had a dream: to establish a professional orchestra made entirely of Omani nationals. This brilliant idea was born of his passionate and inspiring commitment to his people and from his belief that music would serve as a vehicle for the promotion of peace, tolerance, and international cooperation. THE CREATION OF THE ROYAL OMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The realization of his vision for the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra (ROSO) began in 1985 meaning that in 2020, ROSO celebrated its 35th anniversary. Under the direct supervision of His Majesty, young students were first assessed for a basic aptitude for understanding and appreciating the elements of melody, harmony and rhythm in music. Under the guidance of the Royal Guard of Oman, young musicians who met the required criteria were then immersed in intensive studies of Western music. Theory lessons were followed with practical instruction; musicians were matched with instruments according to their aptitude and interest. In a process embraced with immense enthusiasm and a mood of celebration by the young students, they embarked on a relationship with music and instruments which would shape their lives. There was no denying that these students were being given an incredible opportunity to be part of a truly significant moment in the history of their country, one that would leave a legacy for future musicians of Oman and the nation as a whole to be proud of. The regular training they received was delivered on the campus of the palace in Seeb, on the outskirts of Muscat. Early students of the orchestra recall that it was not uncommon for His Majesty to appear during rehearsals to express his delight in their progress and to praise the students.