Iraqi composer Qutaiba Al-Nuaimi will participate in the upcoming Arab Trends Festival in Cairo this March. He will perform alongside the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Mohamed Sharara.
Al-Nuaimi expressed excitement about this opportunity, marking his second appearance at the event. He emphasized that the concert will take place at the Grand Theater in the Cairo Opera House.
This year’s festival focuses on traditional music and innovation. Al-Nuaimi plans to present compositions inspired by Iraqi heritage with a modern symphonic arrangement. His goal is to blend tradition with contemporary orchestration while preserving the cultural essence.
He highlighted the importance of reviving Iraqi traditional music and introducing it to global audiences. He aims to establish a national music archive for Iraq, similar to those in other countries.
Recently, Al-Nuaimi participated in the Baraha Msheireb Festival in Doha with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. The performances on February 14 and 15 showcased Iraqi heritage music reimagined with a fresh, modern perspective.
Looking ahead, Al-Nuaimi is developing a large-scale musical project inspired by Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables. This commission, initiated by the European music organization Music Novel, will focus on the character Gavroche. The symphonic piece will explore Gavroche’s rebellious spirit and will premiere in Paris and Brussels at the Modern Music Festival later this year.
Al-Nuaimi continues to push the boundaries of Iraqi music. His commitment to blending tradition with modern orchestration allows his homeland’s rich musical heritage to reach global audiences. Through these efforts, he aims to secure Iraq’s place in the world of contemporary classical music.
