Trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf visits Omar Harfouch during a rehearsal of his 'Concerto for Peace'

16 September 2024 / Interviews

Alors que le 'Concerto for Peace' by Omar Harfouch approaching quickly, since it will take place this Wednesday at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysée in Paris, the pianist and composer received a prestigious and highly instructive visit. Ibrahim Maalouf, the famous Lebanese trumpeter, in fact attended one of the rehearsals of Omar Harfouch and his musicians from the Béziers Méditerranée orchestra.

While the pianist and composer was in the middle of preparing for his concert, during a rehearsal held in The Seine Musicale (Boulogne-Billancourt), Ibrahim Maalouf did not just sit back and watch the preparations as a mere spectator. The trumpeter gave Omar Harfouch and his orchestra some tips, sharing his musical expertise with them.

For example, Ibrahim Maalouf gave of precious advices to the first violin, recommending that he turn towards the audience so that the sound of his instrument, which can be masked by the 60 other musicians, reaches the spectators. As soon as the 'instruction' was given, Omar Harfouch and his musicians were immediately able to see the difference and the improvements, which will be enjoyed by the concert's spectators.

During the rehearsals, Ibrahim Maalouf also gave his opinion on the Oriental Fantasy, a flagship composition by Omar Harfouch. After noting the complexity of its interpretation, the trumpeter praised the performance of the Bézier Méditerranée orchestra, conducted by Mathieu Bonnin. As a true connoisseur, Maalouf took the opportunity to congratulate the orchestra's trumpeter, who according to him managed to make “bring out the colours of the Orient”.

This visit by Ibrahim Maalouf was also an opportunity to reveal an anecdote: during this rehearsal, Omar Harfouch revealed that he had started to compose his Oriental Fantasy while reading the book SamarkandWritten by Amin maalouf, Ibrahim Maalouf's uncle. A book published in 1989 set in the Orient of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, offering a journey into a universe where dreams of freedom defy fanaticism. A fanaticism that Omar Harfouch fights, particularly through his compositions. The latter even went to Samarkand in order to immerse himself in this place full of symbols and to bring out all of its emotions in his composition. Oriental Fantasy therefore tells the story of the Orient through Amin Maalouf's book, which gives an additional dimension to Ibrahim Maalouf's visit.

Furthermore, during these rehearsals, Omar Harfouch also revealed to Ibrahim Maalouf that he had composed the trumpet solo of his Oriental Fantasy after listening to the album Illusions, by Ibrahim Maalouf, and attended several of his concerts.

There is no doubt that the spirit of Ibrahim Maalouf and his uncle will be present during the 'Concerto for Peace' by Omar Harfouch and the Béziers Méditerranée orchestra, which will be held this Wednesday, September 18 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, starting at 19:30 p.m.

@Photos: Daniel Topic