Musical pieces composed and written by Dana Al Fardan to be performed by QPO at Sandstorm Concert

Dana Al Fardan, distinguished Qatari composer and songwriter, has confirmed that 17 of her songs, including several from her latest album, Sandstorm, in addition to the debut of two new songs, will be performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and leading soprano vocalist, Daisy Chute, at ‘Sandstorm’ on Sunday, November 20^th at the Katara Opera House, Katara Cultural Village.

The Sandstorm Concert, in association with DNA Records, Qatar’s first home grown record label, founded by Dana Al Fardan, will begin with Dana’s first piece, ‘The Beginning’ from her latest album, Sandstorm, which is also the theme song for Hamad International Airport (HIA). This piece will be performed live on stage, by over 80 QPO musicians, and will be accompanied by a beautifully shot video that features the QPO performing the song at various locations throughout HIA including the airport’s main runway. Throughout the evening, music lovers and guests will be able to enjoy Dana’s signature sounds including ‘Won’t Drown’, ‘Pride of A Nation’ and ‘Music Box’, along with never-before-heard music to be launched for the first time at the Sandstorm concert.

Dana Al Fardan’s two new songs include ‘Lustre’, a collaboration between esteemed solo violinist and prominent member of the QPO, MAias Alyamani, with Dana writing the music and MAias arranging it. This song is a reference to the lustrous, silvery-white substance that is omitted from pearls and is also a nod to the Al Fardan family’s heritage and pearl trading background. Meanwhile, Dana’s second new piece ‘Fijiri’ is a modern orchestral rendition of pearl diving music featuring Dana’s signature nuances. Speaking ahead of the concert, Dana Al Fardan, said: “I am thrilled that the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will bring to life a number of my songs and signature sounds, and that I will also have the opportunity to debut two new pieces that are very close to me. Pearl diving is something that has been in my family for generations and has also had a lasting impact on Qatar, and I am eagerly awaiting the response from music lovers and listeners alike to these pieces.”

Dana Al Fardan and the QPO have enjoyed a long-lasting and fruitful relationship over the years, with a highpoint being in 2015 when the QPO, once again in association with DNA Records, presented Layla at the Katara Opera House as an interpretation of Dana’s first album. Throughout 2016 Dana Al Fardan has achieved a number of career milestones including her collaboration with the award winning DJ Robin Schulz on his latest album Sugar, and the London concert where songs from Sandstorm were performed by members of the UK-based Orion Orchestra at the prestigious Cadogan Hall, alongside Lebanese-American composer and pianist Guy Manoukian.  

In addition, Dana Al Fardan has confirmed that she has signed a joint venture with Metropolis Studios, Europe’s best recording and mastering studio, and the home of award-winning mastering engineers, creative agency and video production in London. Dana Al Fardan continues to emphasise the importance of creating and owning original content and cultivating an industry around that. Further, Dana hopes to increase engagement and interaction with more musicians around the world as well as setting the scene for the growth of a serious music industry in Qatar.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the QPO’s website http://qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org/concerts/purchase_ticketsor by visiting the Katara Opera House.