UAE National Orchestra

ARAB WORLD PREMIERE

Overview

Led by François López-Ferrer, recipient of the 2024Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, the UAE National Orchestra opens the Festival’s 2026 season with a programme of sweeping drama and orchestral grandeur. Georgian pianist David Khrikuli, laureate of numerous international competitions and one of the most exciting young pianists of his generation, brings Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2 to life in all its soaring lyricism, brooding passion and breathtaking virtuosity. The concert culminates in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, a score of radiant invention and folk-infused warmth, brimming with melodic generosity and the unmistakable joy of a composer at the height of his powers.

Programme

Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) Overture to Candide

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (featuring David Khrikuli, piano)

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88

Artists

UAE National Orchestra (UAENO)  

Founded in 2025 and based in Abu Dhabi, the UAE National Orchestra is a 100-member ensemble performing across the seven emirates A groundbreaking cultural initiative, it was established to create a national orchestra rooted in Emirati musical heritage, connected across the UAE’s diverse community and open to exploring connections with musical traditions from around the world.

Under the visionary leadership of Chairperson Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the orchestra honours the UAE's musical heritage while embracing modern multiculturalism. Bringing together 70 full-time musicians and 30 part-time choir members, it is developing a distinctive style and sound that reflects the cultural diversity of the modern UAE through a fusion of Arabic and Western musical traditions.

Through dedicated capacity-building programmes and international partnerships, the orchestra provides training, support and mentorship for emerging musicians, enhancing the local musical ecosystem and fostering future generations of artists. In doing so, it enriches the nation’s artistic landscape and reflects the UAE's commitment to cultural excellence on the global stage.

‍

François López-Ferrer

Spanish-American conductor François López-Ferrer has earned international recognition for his versatility across opera, symphonic repertoire and contemporary music. Recipient of the 2024 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, he has collaborated with leading orchestras, opera houses and festivals across Europe, the United States and Asia.

Born in Switzerland, raised in the United States, and of Cuban and Spanish heritage, he holds a Master of Arts in Conducting from the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne and a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

He has guest conducted ensembles worldwide including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Ensemble intercontemporain and the Enescu Philharmonic. In Spain, he regularly collaborates with the Orquesta Nacional de España, Orquesta Sinfónica de RTVE, Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia and Bilbao Sinfonikoa. An advocate for contemporary music, he led the US premiere of Pedro Osuna’s Lux Aeterna and Mark Simpson’s Violin Concerto.

López-Ferrer has collaborated with soloists including Nicola Benedetti, Pekka Kuusisto, Boris Giltburg, Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, Pepe Romero, Clara-Jumi Kang, Roman Simovic, Karen Gomyo, Paul Huang, Geneva Lewis and Zee Zee. His conducting has been praised by Bachtrack for its "richly expressive sound, always rendered with clarity and precision", while Beckmesser described him as "elegant and authoritative".

He previously served as Resident Conductor of the Académie de l’Opéra de Paris, Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival, Associate Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Chile and Principal Conductor of the Ballet Nacional Chileno. He was also a Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and winner of the inaugural 2015 Neeme Järvi Prize at the Menuhin Gstaad Festival.

‍

David Khrikuli

Born in Georgia in 2001, pianist David Khrikuli is rapidly emerging as one of the most compelling voices of his generation. His performances have drawn attention for their individuality, expressive intensity and rich dynamic range.

A laureate of numerous international competitions, Khrikuli won First Prize at the 2024 Cantù International Piano and Orchestra Competition in Italy and First and Audience Prizes at the Vigo International Piano Competition in Spain. He was also a finalist at the 2025 Chopin International Piano Competition, where his performances earned acclaim from audiences and jury alike. Earlier distinctions include First Prize and Special Prize at the Aarhus International Competition in Denmark, First Prize at the Tbilisi Chopin National Piano Competition in Georgia and awards at the Nutcracker International TV Competition in Russia, Astana Piano Passion in Kazakhstan and the Arthur Rubinstein International Competition for Young Pianists in China.

He began his piano studies at the Zakaria Paliashvili Central Music School for Gifted Children in Tbilisi under Revaz Tavadze before continuing his training at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid. He received scholarships from the Jaime Castellanos and Albéniz Foundations, held the Banco Santander Foundation Piano Chair, and in 2022 received the Diploma for the Most Outstanding Student of his chair from Her Majesty Queen Sofía.

Khrikuli has appeared as a soloist with the Georgian Philharmonic, Israel Camerata and Philharmonic and the Moscow Philharmonic, and has given solo and chamber performances across Europe. At the Reina Sofía School, he performed in the La Generación Ascendente and AIEnRUTa-Clásicos concert series, and with the Schumann Trio, Ravel Duo and Austrias Trio.

Currently touring Poland with performances in Toruń, Kraków and Poznań, Khrikuli will also return to Mallorca and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid and make his debut in Berlin.

‍

‍

‍