Pianist Farouk pays tribute to Brahms at Cairo Opera House

CAIRO – 3 January 2018: The internationally known Egyptian pianist Wael Farouk will perform in a tribute to the classical music composer Johannes Brahms on Saturday at the Cairo Opera House, accompanied by Orchestra Al-Kahera Al-Symphony (Cairo Symphonic Orchestra) led by the maestro Ahmed el-Saaedy.

Farouk will perform Brahms’ second concerto for the piano and orchestra, the piece is considered as one of his most remarkable compositions ever. Some well known compositions such as Beethoven’s Opening Ceremony piece and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony will also be featured in the concert.

Brahms has made a clear mark in the history of classical music, as he is considered the great master of the Symphonic and Sonata styles in the 19th century; he also composed choral pieces, chamber music and over 200 songs.

The great German composer was taught the piano by his father when he was seven years old, his great potential as a pianist led him to know the violinist Joseph Joachim who introduced him the iconic classical composer Robert Schumann who believed in his talent and encouraged him to reach his best.

Brahms was strongly influenced by Beethoven as he studied the science of music theory through Beethoven’s pieces. The influence appeared clearly in his first symphony as it was criticized to the extent that it has been named Beethoven’s 10th symphony. However, he later proved that he can compose master pieces entirely removed from any former compositions. His most remarkable pieces are “The Hungarian Dance” and “Brahms Lullaby” beside the symphonies and piano concertos.

Wael Farouk who’s the featured artist in the event is one of the most prestigious piano players in Egyptian music history; he studied music at Egypt’s Conservatoire from the age of seven, before he earned his PHD degree from the Chicago musical college in the United States. He has collaborated with many international orchestras as a piano soloist such as the Manhattan Orchestra as well as touring and performing in many countries such as England, France and Japan.

The leader of the Cairo symphonic orchestra Ahmed el-Saaedy also is one of the most important maestros in Egypt today; he studied music and orchestral leading in the Vienna Music Academy, and his international debut was in 1982 by conducting the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra at place in the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna. Since then el-Saaedy’s skill has been recognized and he has led many orchestras in many countries. He has also composed symphonies that differentiate themselves from the crowd by blending the western classical music style with the oriental style.