Al-Quds
University started a new academic music project for Jerusalem and the
Palestinian Territories. Aim of the newly established Al-Quds University
College of Music Program is to provide musical education, professional training
and academic activities at the highest level for young performers, composers
and scholars in an environment that stimulates creativity, artistic performance,
innovation and research.
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| Professor for violin Edua Zadory at a concert in Ramallah |
The
College of Music Project operates within a network of Palestinian and
international academic music institutions and offers talented students from all
backgrounds the chance to develop their knowledge, musical skills and artistic
expression which will help them to contribute to musical life in Palestine and
abroad.
AL QUDS AUTUMN ACADEMY - A VIBRANT MEETING PLACE FOR MUSICAL TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE
The launching event of this new music program was the first Al-Quds College of Music Autumn Academy which was supported by the German Representative Office in Ramallah and presented various concerts, artist panels and exhibitions.
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| Aglaia Mika, Raed Said and Wassim Odeh |
Venues of the Autumn Academy were the University campuses in Jerusalem and Abu Dies as well as historical places and buildings in the Old City of Jerusalem like the Patriarch's Pool or the Hammam Al Ayn and Hammam Al Shifa at the Centre for Jerusalem Studies. The last concert on October 10th took place at the Khalil Sakakini Centre in Ramallah.
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| Singers of the Scmidt's Girs College in Jerusalem |
The
Al-Quds University College of Music Autumn Academy wishes to contribute to the
cultural revival of East Jerusalem and the Old City through artistic encounters
and performances. The highlight of this concert series was the world premiere
of the winning submission of the first Al Quds Composition Award.
A POEM TO INSPIRE COMPOSITIONS
"Impossible
Grace" a poem written by Indian poet Meena Alexander has inspired the
first Al-Quds Composition Award. Alexander wrote "Impossible Grace"
while she was poet in residence at Al-Quds University in 2011.
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| Poet Meena Alexander and composer Stefan Heckel |
"I
was haunted by divisions in this city of golden stone and prayers, and the fact
that some of the gates are shut to people" Alexander said, referring to
ancient gates in Old Jerusalem, and Israel's constant military presence. "And
the almost impossible light that edges it all, the mystical Jerusalem."
Selected by a panel of international composers and contemporary music experts, the winning composition received a prize of 1000 Euros and two public performances in Jerusalem and Abu Dies under the artistic direction of Anke Rauthmann, director of the Berlin International Opera.
Selected by a panel of international composers and contemporary music experts, the winning composition received a prize of 1000 Euros and two public performances in Jerusalem and Abu Dies under the artistic direction of Anke Rauthmann, director of the Berlin International Opera.
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| Stage Director Anke Rauthmann, Set Designer Maria Tupay Duque, Meena Alexander and Stefan Heckel |
The
goal of the award was to encourage the creation of high quality chamber music
that combines the human voice with elements of both Arabic and Western European
musical traditions, thus celebrating the cultural uniqueness of the city of
Jerusalem.
Al
Quds University was delighted to receive submissions from Palestine, Austria,
Spain, Finland, Brazil, Switzerland, Poland and the United States.
The
poem "Impossible Grace" which has already been published in the United
States in a literary journal TriQuarterly Online, was also part of a pamphlet
of Alexander's Jerusalem poems, published by Al-Quds University in conjunction
with the winning composition's October premiere.
WINNER OF THE FIRST AL QUDS COMPOSITION AWARD
Winner
of the first Al Quds Composition Award is the Austrian composer Stefan Heckel.
His composition was remarked by the committee of experts for its special
instrumentation, its atmosphere, originality and sensitivity regarding the use
of Meena Alexander's text.
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| Stefan Heckel - winner of the Al Quds Composition Award 2012 |
Stefan Heckel, who has been connected to Jerusalem in his work as an artist for
many years, perceived Meena Alexander's poem as a promenade through the Old
City of Jerusalem. He composed a musical equivalent to Meena Alexander's lyrics
by creating a musical style recalling medieval
and oriental sounds choosing the oud as his leading instrument.
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| Bassbaritone Christian von Oldenburg on stage at Abu Dies University Campus |
The world premiere of "Impossible Grace" was performed by an ensemble of Palestinian and international musicians and was enthusiastically acclaimed by audiences in Jerusalem and Abu Dies. Further performances of "Impossible Grace” are planned for the coming season.
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| Recording session at Al Quds Educational TV in Ramallah |
The
piece was
recorded at Al Quds Educational TV in Ramallah and will soon be presented by
the Al Quds University College of Music.
For further information about the Al Quds College of Music please visit: http://music.alquds.edu or contact petra@music.alquds.edu, Phone: (0) 54 46876 40 or +43 664 2549593.
