Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – The 1st edition of “Damascus Pipe Organ Week”, organized by the International Holy Land Organ Festival and the Higher Institute of Music, kicked off at Dar al-Assad for Culture and Arts.
The Italian organist Eugenio Maria Fagiani, accompanied by the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Missak Baghboudarian, inaugurated the festivity performing Joseph Jongen’s masterpiece “Symphony Concentrate” and Symphony No.3 for Camille Saint-Saens.
In a statement to SANA, Fagiani expressed happiness to be in Syria, adding that the concert took him to a journey in the memories of his past and childhood of which he spent several years in the Arab states.
He hailed the wonderful performance of the Syrian Symphony Orchestra, noting that the difficult circumstances and the suffering due to the current crisis in the country did not affect the Syrian musicians’ determination to present the best in their concerts and they are lucky for having Maestro Baghboudarian who follow up on their progress and encourage talented students to join the Orchestra.
For his part, Maestro Baghboudarian said that the concert marked the beginning of the Orchestra’s activities in 2017, highlighting the close coordination among the organizing sides and their communications with international organizations and foundations to break the restrictions imposed on the Syrian creativity, benefit from the expertise of foreign musicians that conveys a brilliant image of the Syrian culture and music.
The event which lasts till the 15th of February aims at introducing the Syrian musicians, singers and orchestras to the audience, in addition to hosting a number of international organists.
R.Raslan/Mazen
