Founding Honorary Patron His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign of Affairs
Patron, H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan
PRESENTED BY ABU DHABI FESTIVAL
UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF
ARABIC LANGUAGE DAY
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
154 W 57th Street
Sunday, 14 December 2025
7:30pm EST
The accomplished musicians of the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council, together with the Abu Dhabi Festival, are proud to hold a concert in celebration of World Arabic Language Day, on Sunday, 14 December 2025, at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. One of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Arabic is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity. In celebration of World Arabic Language Day, and Arabic’s historic role in the development of art and science, the programme will feature a variety of popular and classical music from the Arab region. Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations' goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.
“Our partnership with the United Nations Chamber Music Society continues to deepen year after year as we commemorate World Arabic Language Day on 18 December at Carnegie Hall, one of the most important and prestigious arts venues in the United States. This collaboration celebrates the artistic excellence of the Society’s musicians and their exceptional performances, which draw inspiration from the beauty of the Arabic language and its rich intellectual heritage in arts, literature and culture. It also reflects the linguistic and musical diversity of the Arab region and the world. Through masterpieces of poetry, song and traditional Arabic music - both classical and contemporary - the vocabulary and musical rhythms of Arabic resonate with global audiences. These performances showcase the creations of prominent poets and artists, highlighting the historical role of our beautiful language in shaping civilisation and bridging cultural dialogue."
~ H.E. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF); Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival
FEATURING
“Hold Your Fire” Composed By Kadim Al Sahir
UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director & Piano
Jerome Lowenthal, Piano
Hana Mundiya, Violin
Alexander Franco Goldberg, Violin
Marco Sabatini, Viola
Ju Young Lee, Cello
Lourd Hadweh, Clarinet
Joseph Ehrenpreis, Arabic Percussion
James Mancuso, Tenor
MUSIC PROGRAMME
I. Opening Song of Arab Countries
Songs of Arab Countries (arr. by Ghiya Rushidat & Ari Barack Fisher for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Comoros, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Syria, Oman, Kuwait, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Djibouti, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Iraq
{Inspired by the National Anthem of Arab countries performed during the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar}
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Alexander Franco Goldberg (Violin), Marco Sabatini (Viola), Ju Young Lee (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Joseph Ehrenpreis (Arabic Percussion)
II. Classical Contemporary Arab Music
MALEK JANDALI (1972 - ) Piano Dream (arr. Piano Trio by Jandali)
KINAN AZMEH (1976 - ) Prayer, Tribute to Edward Said
EDVARD GRIEG (1843 - 1907) Peer Gynt Suite No.2, II. Arabian Dance (arr. 4-Hands Piano by Grieg)
KARIM AL-ZAND (1970 - ) Bagatelle: No. 5, Three Forms in Red
III. Popular Arab Music
KADIM AL SAHIR (1957 - ) Hold Your Fire
KADIM AL SAHIR (1957 - ) Eid al ashak "Celebration of lovers"
FAIRUZ (1935 - ) “Aatini Nay” (Lyrics from Gebran Khalil Gebran, Composed by Nagib Hankache)
(arr. A Bu for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Courtesy of “Voix de l’Orient” (A.Chahine & Fils)
ABDULMAJEED ABDULLAH (1962 - ) "Rahib" ("Magnificent") (arr. Ghiya Rushidat for the UN Chamber Music Society)
ALAN MENKEN (1949 - ) A Whole New World (From "Aladdin")
MOHAMMED FLAYFEL (1899 - 1986) Mawtini
SPECIAL THANKS
UN Department of Global Communications
Klavierhaus
Artwork of Poster:
Alma Faham
MidAmerica Productions
VERY SPECIAL THANKS
Abu Dhabi Festival
H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo
Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival
Founding Honorary Patron
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign of Affairs
Patron
H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan
Tickets: Carnegiehall.org | +1 212 247 7800
Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th and Seventh
UN Family & Friends 20% discount code: UNC53913
