Reviving Music’s Bygone Era by Marianne

As it is said: “without music life wouldn’t be fair”, the extravagance of the Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra MESTO’s performance at the Muscat’s Royal Opera House was an inspiring event that serves as a reminder of how great music can move the soul.

The modern reinterpretation of the old symphonies whether it was in the Techno music or in any type has been an artistic excellence of success. When I heard about the MESTO Orchestra I felt the need to attend their performance as if all my life I was missing out on enjoying the greatness of the Arabic language and the value of its lyrics when mixed within the classical melodies. I can never recall a time where I played an Arabic song whether it was a modern song of Nancy Ajram or a classic of Oum Kalthoum. All the knowledge I have about arabic music is from songs that were played in restaurants on T.V., and the classic ones at home when my Father used to repeat them over and over.

In this modern day, very few of the generation I grew up with, listens to classical music, and I was one to go for the modern fast tunes just like this fast world we live in; keeping me wondering if it’s the age that makes one appreciate the classics, is it understanding the musical lyrics in a more profound way as people go through similar life experiences, or is it the incredible work of this Orchestra that by bringing the bygone era music to life communicates straight to our souls?

MESTO’s rehearsal prior to their performance at the Royal Opera House in Muscat – Oman

The Los Angeles based Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra MESTO conducted by the founder Nabil Azzam has become a great music icon. MESTO have been a great success in bringing together different music from around the world during their previous concerts “Babylon, Baalbek, and Cairo in Hollywood.” The orchestra was invited to perform at the Abu Dhabi Theatre, The broad stage in San Diego, and many more theatres including the latest event that took place at The Royal Opera House in Muscat – Oman on the evening of February 7, 2012.

Maestro Nabil Azzam and the orchestra were repeatedly applauded for their amazing performance of linking the traditional Arabic music with Western contemporary music made by star musicians from 13 different nationalities, in addition to relating music from Armenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Iran, Greece, U.S. and others Western classical music. Mr. Azzam explained the following after the performance “Our 50 musicians have become 50 ambassadors of our music and our culture. The name of Muhammad ‘Abd al Wahhab became synonymous with Mozart and Beethoven.”

Listening to the unforgettable Arabic classic compositions I couldn’t agree more, the greatness of MESTO comes from taking the beauty of every culture and present it in the most remarkable dignified way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr4ZQ6VutTM&feature=youtube_gdata_player