13 February 2021
In celebration of National Action Charter Day, Bahrain Culture Authority Broadcasts, The Return – Spirit of Bahrain concert by Waheed Al-Khan
Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities celebrates National Action Charter Day, on 14 February 2021, broadcasting the mesmerizing music concert, “ The Return – Spirit of Bahrain” by Muharraq’s very own maestro and artist, Waheed Al Khan, via its You Tube channel at CultureBah, at 8:00 pm.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa said : “ Bahrain National Action Charter is a major historical turning point in the kingdom's history that laid the foundation for innumerable positive developments. Celebrating the National Charter principles is our way of expressing gratitude and thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him, the first sponsor of culture.” H.E added, “During his prosperous reign, Bahrain has achieved its best cultural and historical achievements, putting the Kingdom of Bahrain on top of major universal cultural destinations and positions.” BACA’s president also said, “Bahrain Culture Authority will always be committed, guided and inspired by the wise leadership of His Majesty and the principles stemming from the National Action Charter, anchoring noble cultural fundamental ideas. Indeed, Bahrain shall forever be a citadel of cultural diversity, pioneer in building bridges of dialogue and communication between peoples and civilizations in the whole world”.
H.E also asserted that Bahrain Culture Authority, while taking all the necessary health measures and required pandemic spreading prevention procedures marks this special day, presenting a beautiful and exceptional music concert via BACA’s online channels. H.E has also pointed out arguing that National Action Charter Day, on 14 February 2021, broadcasting the mesmerizing music concert, “The Return – Spirit of Bahrain” by maestro and artist, Waheed Al Khan, which will be broadcasted this Sunday, was hosted by Bahrain National Theater, an iconic cultural landmark that saw the light thanks to the generous support by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him.
Worth to mention that Bahrain National Theater hosted in 2019 the mesmerizing heart-lifting music concert, titled “The Return- Spirit of Bahrain”, and performed by Maestro Waheed Alkhan, accompanied by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Nayer Naji. The audience will certainly enjoy the most entraining sweet musical experiences and the unique poetical and music pieces by maestro Al-Khan, in his The Return- the Spirit of Bahrain, such as “Rise, Our Waltz, Muharraq, my Beloved, the Palm, Secrets, the Pearl, Summer Breeze etc.” Al-Khan’s The Return album is professionally written for a philharmonic orchestra and oriental instruments with Bahraini flavor aimed to portray a bright glorious image of his beloved Bahrain to the world. Waheed’s album reflects on the stories and scenes that were built around the spirit of Bahrain, and aims to preserve its beauty, love and harmony. It cherishes the memories of those who lived these scenes and exposes them to a new audience.
These music compositions are more video clips stemming from the imaginary world of wonder world and fairy tales of maestro Waheed, classified as “World Music” category.
This album was performed by Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra recorded in one take (all performing together) then the oriental instruments were added. Although some of the album's pieces are inspired by Alhana and the Bahrain folkloric repertoire, the music was built on Western orchestral patterns and with astonishing smoothness in the harmonies that combined Eastern and Western instruments and he was acclaimed as the most talented artist by critics. The total number of performers is 94 musicians, while engineer Gareth Williams does the mixing and mastering in the UK (One Take) style music flavored with Eastern music instruments. Indeed, the Return" album had achieved its goals and well received by European and Middle Eastern audience, especially at Kodály Center in Hungary, in September 2018, Cairo Opera House, Egypt; during the 27th Arab Music Festival in November 2018.
Worth to mention that Maestro Waheed Al-Khan is Bahraini composer and musician, who graduated from Cairo Conservatory of Music (1982) with a Bachelor Degree in Oboe and Piano, then got a Master Degree in Ethnomusicology. He also had founded the first classical music institute in Bahrain, shining upon the music scene training and education from 1986 to 2003. He started his musical career very actively in the 80’s then got occupied by the world of business for more than 10 years before deciding to make a comeback to his original passion and gifting us his aptly named album “The Return. "
