FARAJ ABYAD & ATHAR ORCHESTRA NEW YORK – A SONG OF PEACE

Overview

أُغنيّةالسّلام
A Song of Peace
One Maqam: Many Worlds
An Evening of Classical Arabic Music Across Cultures

Produced by Abu Dhabi Festival and Athar Orchestra New York,this special concert brings together Faraj Abyad and Athar Orchestra New Yorkin a powerful meeting of musical worlds. Leading an ensemble of 30 musiciansfrom across the region and beyond, Abyad explores maqam – the Arabicmodal system – as a living art form shaped by centuries of musical exchange.

At the heart of the programme is A Song of Peace,an original composition set to the poetry of the great Emirati poet H.E. Dr.Mani Saeed Al Otaiba. In his words – “لماذا لا نعودُ إلى التلاقي وننأى بالحوارِ عنالخصامِ” (Why do we not return to meeting one another, andthrough dialogue move away from conflict) – the work reflects a deeper callfor unity, dialogue and peace.

The evening weaves together reimagined classics by OumKalthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez with original compositions by Faraj Abyad. Italso features world premieres set to poetry by H.E. Dr. Mani Saeed Al Otaiba, alongsidea new work inspired by a poem about Aleppo, the city he comes from and holdsclose.

The programme highlights composers from across the region, representing diverse religions, backgrounds and histories, and reflects a shared musical language that has connected these traditions across time.

Subtitled One Maqam: Many Worlds, the concert brings this idea into focus, offering a musical experience rooted in memory expression and a sense of connection that continues to resonate today.

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Programme

Coming soon.

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Artists‍

City of Cologne and Gürzenich-Kapellmeister (from 2025/26)

Athar Orchestra New York

Faraj Abyad, vocals, leader
Ismail Lumanovski, clarinet, maestro
Tamer Pinarbasi, qanun
Dayramir Gonzalez, piano
Barry Stephenson, bass
Zafer Tawil, percussion
Taka Fuminikaido, percussion
Guillermo Guillén, flamenco guitar

Strings, led by Nami Nazar (6 violins, 3 violas, 3 cellos)
Horns, led by Julieta Eugenio

Faraj Abyad
Syrian-American vocalist, oud player and composer Faraj Abyad is the founderand artistic director of Athar Orchestra New York. His work centres on maqam-basedcomposition, bringing together Pan-Arabic music traditions with Westernorchestration and jazz influences. Drawing on classical Arabic poetry, hismusic seeks to revive the spirit of tarab while speaking to a contemporary,global audience. Through Athar, he shapes the ensemble’s vision, musically andconceptually, building a platform that bridges cultures and reimagines thepossibilities of Middle Eastern orchestral music in New York.

Ismail Lumanovski
Macedonian-born clarinetist and composer Ismail Lumanovski is known for hisgenre-defying artistry, blending Balkan, Middle Eastern and jazz traditionsinto a singular voice. A graduate of the Juilliard School, he has performed globallyas a soloist and collaborator, earning recognition for his virtuosic techniqueand deeply expressive sound. As musical director and conductor of AtharOrchestra New York, he leads the ensemble with a dynamic and fluid approach,shaping the interpretation of repertoire across traditions while maintaining acohesive artistic vision.

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