Kinan Azmeh (Syria, Clarinet and Artistic Director)
Wissem Ben Ammar (Tunisia, Viola)
Rami Khalife (Lebanon, Piano)
Hassan Moataz (Egypt, Cello)
Maias Yamani (Syria, Violin)
This project aims at soothing down obstacles that may prevent Arab musicians (both residents and expatriates) from collaborating by creating a pan-Arab musical team in the form of a professional chamber music ensemble that can present works by contemporary Arab composers as well as western classical works. It is part of this ensemble’s mission to present and record works by contemporary Arab composers and to encourage young composers in the Arab world.
The project was launched through a ten days residency in Damascus, Syria in March 2008 for selected Arab performers and composers, during which they exchanged ideas and thoughts, drew future plans, presented master-classes to musicians and students at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus and gave its first concert at the Damascus Opera House part of the Damascus Cultural capital of the Arab world 2008 activities.
The album Syrian Contemporary Chamber Music was released in November 2008.
