Salām Bach!

A joint project involving symphonic arrangements of Arabic music excited mutual curiosity – and inspired them, conversely, to blend western classical music with Arabic sounds. »It proved incredibly difficult to combine two different tonal systems,« say the members of Trio d’Iroise as they think back to the early days of the project. Both ensembles faced challenges: while the three Syrian musicians had to get used to the strict organisation of Bach’s music and stick more closely to the score, the Trio d’Iroise had to get to grips with quarter tones, maqam scales, special rhythms and the art of improvisation. »Goldberg« begins with Bach’s original and incorporates more and more elements of Arabic music such as traditional chants, improvisation, quarter tones and dances – until at the end, in »Quodlibet«, Bach’s melodies are interwoven with a strikingly similar ancient Syrian song.

Those who are inspired by this concert experience to listen to the Goldberg Variations in the »traditional« instrumentation for string trio should not miss the concert with Yamen Saadi and Sara and Pablo Ferrández in the Elbphilharmonie on 21 December.

Elbphilharmonie PLUS is a programme that opens up different ways of looking at the music performed at the Elbphilharmonie – either to supplement a concert, or as an experience in its own right. Interdisciplinary encounters and exhibitions form part of the Elbphilharmonie+ programme, as do concert talks and films shown in museums, libraries, cinemas and community centres.