When the Berlin Philharmonic Quintet performs Franz Schubert’s Notturno at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saturday and Sunday, the score and setting will be apt.
In fact, in many ways, the sense of gentle discovery and progress imbued in the Austrian composer's celebrated work encapsulates the mission of hosts Abu Dhabi Classics.
Beginning this weekend, the enduring classical music concert series is celebrating its 15th anniversary, inviting some of the world’s leading orchestras, soloists and conductors for concerts at the emirate’s cultural landmarks.
On October 12, London’s Royal Ballet principal ballerina Natalia Osipova graces the stage of Emirates Palace.
The hotel's auditorium is also the setting for a November 3 concert by the UK's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Canadian-American violinist Timothy Chooi as guest soloist.
Full-throttle pieces from the scores of Hollywood blockbusters, including The Avengers and Fast X, will be heard in a November 4 open-air concert under the baton of US film composer Brian Tyler and the aforementioned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
This is only the opening suite of performances, says Ronald Perlwitz, head of the music programme at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
More Abu Dhabi Classics shows will be announced for the emirate, including performances at Al Ain’s Al Jahili Fort.
In addition to the big names and sold-out concerts, Perlwitz judges the progress of the series by phone calls and emails.
“When I joined in 2014, Abu Dhabi Classics was already being noted in classical musical circles as one that is growing and with so much potential,” he tells The National.
“But we still need to do some explaining at times about who we are. Music agents, by their nature, don’t want to send their artists to an unfamiliar place.
“And classical music artists are very particular about where they are playing.
“Once they understand what we are all trying to achieve here, not only as Abu Dhabi Classics, but Abu Dhabi itself as a cultural destination, they get excited and then leave after the show wanting to come back.
“Now the conversations with agents are much smoother and straightforward.”
Indeed, Abu Dhabi Classics has staged repeat performances – albeit with new repertoires – over the years, including Spanish composer Jordi Savall and Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang.
The latter performed a set at Louvre Abu Dhabi last year.
More than the audience wow factor, these experiences are not lost on the performers themselves.
Michael Seal, associate conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, has vivid memories of leading the ensemble for two Abu Dhabi Classics shows in 2014 at the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Al Jahili Fort.
"We performed on a floating stage and there was a yacht race [Volvo Ocean Race] going on and it was a brilliant experience with a really great crowd. Then we all went on this long trip to Al Ain through the desert,” he tells The National.
“There is a lot of talk about the importance of such cultural exposure from an audience point of view, but in terms of us as musicians it is also invaluable.
“I will give you an example, during a rehearsal in Abu Dhabi we were kindly asked to stop for a few minutes because the call for prayer was happening.
“It made us appreciate the culture and gave us a deeper understanding of the UAE.”
French pianist David Fray, who made the first of three appearances at Abu Dhabi Classics in 2015, views his solo recitals and orchestral performances as a form of cultural exchange.
“It was my first exposure to the Middle East and that was an experience I still cherish to this day,” he says.
"Abu Dhabi Classics is a crossing of different cultures and there is a lot to benefit from as an audience and musicians.”
Abu Dhabi Classics is also a talent incubator for Emirati artists.
Baritone singer Ahmed Al Hosani performed one of his biggest concerts to date in 2021, singing the works of popular French singers Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux and Lebanon’s Melhem Barakat while accompanied by the UAE's NSO Chamber Orchestra.
Emirati ballerina Alia Al Neyadi took the stage in 2018, dancing alongside celebrity soloists Ivan Vasiliev and Maria Vinogradova from the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre at Emirates Palace.
Al Neyadi now lends her talent behind the scenes alongside Perlwitz in leading DCT Abu Dhabi’s music programme.
"The whole idea of Abu Dhabi Classics is that it is a cultural dialogue between East and West," she tells The National.
"It does send a very strong message that it is important for Emirati artists to have this opportunity and join these great international artists.
“It's also vice versa in that these artists need to know we have great talent here in the UAE and through collaboration we can create opportunities for Emirati artists they wouldn’t have before.”
That message reverberated internationally with Abu Dhabi's 2021 designation as a Unesco City of Music, a network of international cities recognised by the UN agency as cultural centres.
Perlwitz says Abu Dhabi Classics, alongside many of the emirate's cultural institutions – such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, music institute Berklee Abu Dhabi and the NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Centre – played in unison to make that achievement happen.
That status is also a beginning rather than a final note
“Abu Dhabi being called a city of music is more a promise to the future than an award. We will all keep working hard and develop the music scene," Perlwitz says.
"And Abu Dhabi Classics will continue to play an important part in the piece."
Tickets for Abu Dhabi Classics shows are available on ticketmaster.ae
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
HAJJAN
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Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
