At the Al Rasheed - part 2

The concert was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm. As the room began to get warm, we were all wondering when it might actually start. People were still coming in and the seats were filled. it became standing room only for those that arrived close to curtain. Two o'clock turned into 2:10 turned into 2:20. Then I noticed an entourage of people entering from the lobby. The U.S. Ambassador showed up and then another man, an Iraqi. I was not sure who this was. They shook hands with many VIPs sitting up front...and then the found there seats.

A few moments later....... all the lights went out. And I mean all the lights. Some people thought that the performance was going to start but I made the observation that even the stage lights were off. We were somewhat nervous and not sure what to do. It was very quiet in the ballroom after being filled with conversation. There were about 400 people waiting to see what happened next. After about 3 minutes, some lights slowly turned back on and everything was back to previous levels after another couple of minutes. There was a problem with the power, I am sure. I breathed a sigh of relief and made sure I knew the quickest way out of the doors.

Another five minutes went by and the musicians walked in from the lobby. There were about 25-30 people. I thought it was a rather small group. An Iraqi took the podium on stage right. he introduced the U.S. Ambassador who spoke a few words. They were translated in to Arabic. Fortunately this was brief...everyone was waiting to hear music. The Ambassador wrapped and the Iraqi sat at the front with a viola while a conductor entered from backstage.

The music began and I soon realized that the musicians on stage were only playing stringed instruments. I though this was odd; there were no woodwind or brass instruments and no percussion. The first four pieces were from Iraqi composers. The second four would be from American composers, for a total of eight. The first piece was about 8 minutes. I honestly didn't care for it. It seemed somewhat hollow and poorly arranged....almost like it needed more work or needed to be practice more.

To my surprise, more musicians entered the auditorium after this piece ended. i could now see that this was the other half of the orchestra that I felt was missing. The viola player now became the conductor for the second piece. This second Iraqi selecton was beautifully done. It was rich with sound and diversity and contained many Iraqi traditionally sounds......similar to what you might hear in the soundtracks of old films about Arabs and the desert, like Lawrence of Arabia. The third piece had a change of conductors again. The conductor for the first "song", now sat frontstage to play an oud. This is a guitar-like instrument that is pear-shaped with strings and fretts. This piece was quite lively at times. The final Iraqi piece contained many Iraqi traditional sounds. it was a good conclusion. I wish I could describe more about the music, but it was a "kind-of-had-to-be-there" experience. I am not even a novice on Iraqi music, much less Iraqi classical music.

They announced a 15 mintute intermission before they started the American set of pieces. Many people dashed to the lobby for a cigarette break and it quickly became saturated with smoke. I will say the bathrooms were elegant. Marble everything. The toilets were automatic, large mirrors in front of the sinks, beautifully designed. I made my way back to my seat and stood looking around at the diversity of people. It felt surreal. I could feel the "danger" aspect but knowing that the Ambassador was there, made me feel better.

Everyone satdown and the orchestra performed some American music. The four composers were Aaron Copland, Charles Cadman, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin. Even though you may not have heard of Cadman, you have heard his music. Each piece had a different composer. All four pieces were awesome.

There was a bit of a scare during the third piece. The lights went out again, although this time the emergency lights came on the band tried to keep going but the conductor stopped them. We waited for about minutes and some power was restored but not enough for the orchestra to see. There was a loud burst of applause for the band and the lights. I saw some men rush in from the lobby wearing suits...... they went to a panel and shortly thereafter the lights started turning on. One exception wasthe rear of the stage was still inthe dark. Those musicians moved towards the front of the stage and the crowd cheereed again in encouragement. The conducor called orderand they started the piece over.

After it ended, they brough in an electric piano for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blues. there was call to fix the stage lights but went unanswered. They began the music and after a few minutes, while they were playing, the rear stage lights turned on.

As they finished Rhapsody in Blues, they received a standing ovation at the conclusion. Flowers were given to the conductor and he recognized the musicians. The U.S . Ambassador spoke again and he emphasized the importance of the arts and that it brings back the culture that Iraqi citizens chersh. The Iraqi Minister of Arts also spoke to thanks everyone in attendance and that they are working on more arts performances.

Despite the power going out, the performance was spectacular. They have a way to go to be at the same level as some of the best American orchestras, but they are on their way. I would be willing to see them agian.