The Abu Dhabi Festival has been dominated by grand orchestral sounds emerging from Emirates Palace Auditorium, but last night saw a welcome change of pace, with an intimate set by the guitarist Miloš Karadaglic.
Continuing this year’s festival tradition, a duo of local musicians from the UAE’s House of Oud opened the show with an evocative instrumental piece using the qanun and oud.
Karadaglic then came on the stripped-down stage and explored a repertoire ranging from classical composer JohannSebastian Bach (Prelude and Fugue from Suit No 2 BWV997) to the Argentine guitarist Jorge Morel.
The latter’s samba-inspired Danza Brasiliera kicked off the programme’s second half, with its sounds firmly based in the Latin world.
Milonga, composed by Jorge Cardoso, was beautifully delivered with Karadaglic capturing the guitar‘s ability to deliver sweet laments.
A popular touch was added with Antonio Jobim’s The Girl from Ipanema. Inspired by Dianne Krall’s version, Karadaglic seemed to do away with Krall’s expansive take for something more miniature and intimate.
The less is more approach also served him well on Consuelo Velazquez’s much-loved Bésame Mucho with Karadaglic simply focusing on the tune’s evocative melody.
Karadaglic kept most of his awe-inspiring virtuosity for the finale, an epic performance of Carlo Domeniconi’s Koyunbaba.
With the composer inspired by a Turkish sojourn, the four-part piece saw Karadaglic slowly building the pace, his 2007 Greg Smallman guitar telling stories of lashing waves and rugged mountains.
It was a wonderful illustration of the guitar’s place in both the modern and classical musical world.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
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Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
