I joined the Doha Concert Choir -- formerly known as Doha Bach Choir -- last February. It is a volunteer group led by a violist in the Qatar Philharmonic. Giovanni is a talented arranger and choral director, and the group is made up of serious singers!
He was asked last week by a Qatari composer -- the only famous female Qatari composer Dana Alfardan -- to arrange and perform a song she had just written, titled The Land - Song for Qatar.
Last night we met at our usual practice time and rehearsed his arrangement of the song, and next week we expect to record it at the Katara studios. She apparently wrote the song in response to last week's volley of accusations in the Arabic-language media about Qatar straying from the Saudi-prescribed path of sectarian opposition. The direct accusation is that Qatar is providing refuge and support for certain enemies of Saudi Arabia. This resulted in the surprisingly vehement action by the Saudis and their closest allies.
My point here is that we expats were blindsided by this; but apparently those who keep up with Arabic-language politics knew about the rising tension.
We stand tall, above it all. The rain will fall to plant the seeds that feed us all. We stand united behind our leader with all our might. With you we rise. Our Nation's pride!
He was asked last week by a Qatari composer -- the only famous female Qatari composer Dana Alfardan -- to arrange and perform a song she had just written, titled The Land - Song for Qatar.
Last night we met at our usual practice time and rehearsed his arrangement of the song, and next week we expect to record it at the Katara studios. She apparently wrote the song in response to last week's volley of accusations in the Arabic-language media about Qatar straying from the Saudi-prescribed path of sectarian opposition. The direct accusation is that Qatar is providing refuge and support for certain enemies of Saudi Arabia. This resulted in the surprisingly vehement action by the Saudis and their closest allies.
My point here is that we expats were blindsided by this; but apparently those who keep up with Arabic-language politics knew about the rising tension.
We stand tall, above it all. The rain will fall to plant the seeds that feed us all. We stand united behind our leader with all our might. With you we rise. Our Nation's pride!
Comments
Post a Comment