Saudi cultural vibrancy has been on show in the heart of the British capital as performers showcased the Kingdom’s rich musical heritage in one of London’s most historic venues.
In a Saturday night concert titled ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’, more than 100 Saudi musicians and performers sang, played, and danced in the 2,000-seat Central Hall Westminster to bring a slice of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom.
Saudi dignitaries, including Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan, and former Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz, were in attendance.
The event—which followed stops in Paris, Mexico, and New York—was spearheaded by the Music Commission of the Ministry of Culture to enhance the presence of Saudi culture and arts on the international scene.
Having performed on the sidelines of the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in India, the musicians, singers, and dancers were met with enthusiastic applause from the London audience.
Head of the Saudi Music Commission, Paul Pacifico, highlighted the historical significance of the Grade II* listed London venue, which hosted the first-ever United Nations General Assembly in 1946. Music is a global language, he said, with an expressive power that surpasses words.
A rich Saudi tapestry
The concert highlighted a variety of performance styles from across different regions of the Kingdom, each showcasing traditional costumes and identities.
These included the Samri, a performance art involving both men and women that derives its name from the word ‘samar’ (night-time entertainment). It is famous in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where performers come together in open spaces and entertain to the rhythms of emotional poetry.
The evening also featured the Yenbawi, a performance art specific to the Western Province, played to the melodies of the simsimiyya instrument, with movements that mimic the waves of the sea.
There were renditions of famous Saudi songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside an excerpt from the opera Zarqa Al-Yamama, performed by the British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, who performed earlier this year in Riyadh.
Zarqa was a legendary blue-eyed woman who lived in Al-Yamama in pre-Islamic Arabia, whose foresight and predictive abilities let her tribe know when enemies would attack. One day, they chose to ignore her warnings, leading to their tragic demise.
Showcasing traditions
The evening opened with a piece from the late Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen Al Saud, a pioneer of poetic modernism. Under the direction of Riab Ahmed, the Saudi Orchestra and singer Mohammed Abdu performed Ana Min Hal Al-Ard (I Am From This Land), composed by Abdul Rab Idris, with the Saudi choir bringing it to life.
This was followed by the traditional Yenbawi song Hanna Talabna Allah, the performers' dance moves stirring an interaction from the audience, who swayed along to the sweet Yenbawi melodies, evoking the waves of the sea.
With low lighting, the Al-Samri (Khumari) dance was performed to the tune of Ismaheli Ya Al-Gharam (Allow Me, Love) by Mohammed Abdu, written by the poet Aseer Al-Shouq, with the choir and Saudi violinists playing the captivating Maqam of Saba.
Other traditional art forms were showcased, including the Al-Yanbuawi art accompanied the song Hna Talabna Allah (God, We Implore) inspired by Saudi traditional music, and the Al-Rabsh dance with the song Saudiyyeen (We are Saudis) with its energetic rhythm, reflecting the music, dance, and costume of the Jazan region.
East meets West
British singer Adele's song Rolling in the Deep also featured, the Saudi musicians and performers offering their own unique version of it, blending Western and Eastern musical cultures.
In a break from proceedings, Saudi student Abdulmajeed Ibrahim Khankar was honoured for coming first in his academic programme studying Western classical music at Goldsmiths College, University of London. The Kingdom has recently trained more than 9,000 music teachers for children of primary school age.
After the intermission, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the RSVP Voices, led by maestro Benjamin Pope, began the second segment with a performance of Crown Imperial by composer Sir William Walton, with an arrangement by John Rutter, known for his choral music.
The Royal Philharmonic, which was founded in 1946 and considered one of the world's most distinguished musical ensembles, played under the baton of Saudi maestro Hany Farahat, presenting a selection of compositions by Mohammed Ashi and Rami Basahih.
A cultural dialogue
Connolly captivated the audience with a mesmerising performance, blending seamlessly with the melodies of Saudi Hajini music, as she sang in Arabic, accompanied by the qanun player from the Saudi orchestra.
The final performance was of the beloved song Asheqeenak (We Are in Love with You) by the Saudi artist Rashed Al-Majed. It was written by Ahmed Alawi, composed by Ahmed Al-Harmi, and arranged by Mohammed Ashi.
Speaking to Al Majalla, Farahat said both orchestras had worked hard in preparation, culminating in the remarkable interaction with both Arab and British audience members.
He added that the significance of the evening lay in the unique musical dialogue between Saudi and British cultures. It was fitting, therefore, that the concert was broadcast live to an audience at the Riyadh International Book Fair.
