In the work, titled “Oryx” after the antelope that is the national symbol of Qatar, a distinctly Eastern theme is set against a Russian-style theme,
with the qanun imitating the sound
of the gusli.
For the SOUND UP festival, Yakovenko wrote a qanun piece inspired by its likeness to the Russian gusli and the contrast between Eastern and Russian traditions.
For the SOUND UP festival, Yakovenko wrote a qanun piece inspired by its likeness to the Russian gusli and the contrast between Eastern and Russian traditions.
In the work, titled “Oryx” after the antelope that is the national symbol of Qatar, a distinctly Eastern theme is set against a Russian-style theme, with the qanun imitating the sound of the gusli.
On June 4 2021, the Saint Petersburg State Academic Capella hosted the opening concert of Mawaheb, a festival of contemporary music and culture from the Middle East and North Africa organized by Cultural Creative Agency. The curator of the event was SOUND UP, Russia’s most adventurous festival of instrumental music.
For the special program MAWAHEB x SOUND UP: music of oasis, Igor Yakovenko presented the premiere of his new composition “Oryx”, dedicated to Qatar’s national animal — the long-horned antelope once on the brink of extinction. In this work, Yakovenko continues his intercultural explorations, bringing together Eastern and Russian musical traditions.
At the heart of the piece is the qanun, one of the oldest Middle Eastern instruments. Yakovenko was drawn to it not only for its unique timbre but also for its striking resemblance to the Russian gusli. This similarity shapes the concept of “Oryx”: two themes — one Eastern, the other in a Russian style — constantly interact and weave into a vivid musical dialogue.
Musicians
Rani Barrak (darbuka),
Mohannad Nasser (oud)
Ibrahim Qadar (nay)
Hassan Moataz (rebab)
Composer
Igor Yakovenko
Tofiq Mirhan (qanun)
