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Euronews
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Dubai's InClassica International Music Festival returns with composer Alexey Shor at centre stage
ADVERTISEMENT The 14th annual edition of the InClassica International Music Festival runs from April 6-21, dedicated to composer-in-residence Alexey Shor, whose 55th birthday is celebrated throughout the festival programming. The series of concerts at Dubai Opera form the world's biggest classical music observatory, where exceptional young talent meets some of the genre's most established and famous musicians. Shor is joined on stage by 13 talented soloists, two symphony orchestras and five conductors from around the globe, performing his compositions alongside the likes of Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. A total of 16 concerts will play out across the two-week festival, featuring the Franz Schubert Filharmonia from Spain and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well performances from renowned Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich, Cypriot-born British pianist and conductor Marios Papadopoulos and conductor Tomàs Grau, from Barcelona. From maths prodigy to maestro Alexey Shor InClassica For Shor, originally from Ukraine, the festival is an opportunity not only to hear his work performed live but to introduce new audiences to the world of classical music. 'As far as I know, there's never been anything like this in Dubai,' he says. 'InClassica is the biggest musical event in the Middle East ever and I'm sure that in every audience, there will be lots of people enjoying their first classical concert.' Unlike many of the young virtuosos in the lineup, Shor didn't start composing until his late thirties, after a successful career in finance. 'As a child, I was somewhat of a math prodigy and I went on to work as a mathematician, first in academia and later in finance,' he says. 'I would have never guessed 20 years ago that I'd be where I am with music, but here we are.' His unexpected pivot to the arts has not only redefined his life but also brought his compositions to stages around the world. His works - often lyrical, catchy and engaging - have become staples in international concert halls and music festivals. This year, that legacy takes centre stage in Dubai, offering audiences a deep dive into his distinctive musical voice. 'It's an honour to celebrate my birthday during the festival,' says Shor. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet amazing performers who become friends over the years and hear new interpretations of my music.' Where classical tradition meets contemporary emotion Marios Papadopoulos InClassica Shor's music offers an accessible entry point to classical traditions, creating pieces audiences can appreciate and remember. "His music is far from avant-garde," Papadopoulos says. "It's melodic, something you can whistle as you leave the concert hall. These are tunes that connect with people, that speak a universal language beyond complex musical theory." By strategically programming Shor's compositions alongside masterworks by Beethoven and Brahms, the festival creates a dynamic musical dialogue that speaks to varied audiences. ADVERTISEMENT "We live in multicultural societies," Papadopoulos says. "Diversity isn't just important - it's essential. "Music speaks to people at various levels. My purpose isn't just to play notes, but to touch souls, to translate complex emotions into a language everyone can understand. 'Music is my oxygen, my way of communicating what words cannot express. When an audience feels deeply, when they are moved beyond mere listening, that's when true connection happens. If I can make you shed a tear, I've done my job.' Notes between friends Daniel Lozakovich InClassica That spirit of emotional honesty and connection carries through to the performers, many of whom see the festival as more than just a professional engagement. ADVERTISEMENT For established artists like Lozakovich, who gave his first live concert at just nine years old, InClassica offers more than a stage - it's a space for meaningful exchange. Now 24, the violinist sees the festival as a rare opportunity to engage with world-class talent from every corner of the globe. 'Collaboration is the most important thing,' he says. 'That's how you understand what it means to share and connect. In music, when that connection happens, it's a powerful heart-to-heart. 'Right now, music is needed more than ever, especially in countries or places where it's still new. It brings people together in a way few things can.' ADVERTISEMENT Taking classical music to the streets Tomàs Grau InClassica For Grau, the music director of the Franz Schubert Filharmonia, InClassica is just the beginning of a larger movement - one that brings classical music out of traditional venues and into everyday life, making it something everyone can experience and enjoy. 'Studying music is so important for children as it helps develop both sides of the brain,' says Grau. 'Even if they don't grow up to become professional musicians, we are building the audience of the future, which is very important for society.' Away from the Dubai Opera stage, the orchestra aims to take chamber music to the streets of Barcelona and beyond. 'We believe in bringing music directly to people, performing in town squares and outdoor spaces to show that classical music isn't an elite art form, but a living, breathing expression of human creativity,' says Grau. ADVERTISEMENT 'By playing contemporary pieces with traditional instruments, we want to break down barriers and show that musicians are just passionate people who love sharing music with everyone."
Gulf Today
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
'Great that Composers like Alexey Shor are Writing Tonal Music', says Roman Kim
Gulf Network The InClassica International Music Festival will soon be returning to Dubai from April 6th to 21st, 2025 , celebrating its 14th annual edition with an extraordinary lineup of world-renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestras. Taking place at the prestigious Dubai Opera , this year's festival holds special significance as it marks the 55th birthday of Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor , a prolific artist who is hailed amongst the most influential voices in the contemporary classical music scene. Among the star performers gracing the stage at this edition is the celebrated violinist Roman Kim , who will headline the festival's opening concert on April 6th. Kim, widely regarded as one of the most innovative violinists of his generation, expressed his excitement at joining the festival, stating that 'I'm very honored and very happy to be part of this festival, to open it, and to perform on stage with such great musicians. It's a truly special occasion, and I'm really excited!' For his performance at InClassica, Kim will be collaborating with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia under the baton of the esteemed UK conductor John Warner . Reflecting on this upcoming partnership, Kim noted that 'I have never performed with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia before, so it will be an incredible experience for me. I'm really looking forward to playing with them at this festival.' Alexey Shor, InClassica Composer-in-Residence As InClassica continues to expand classical music's reach in the Middle East, this edition will highlight the works of Alexey Shor, celebrating his rich legacy and plentiful contributions to contemporary classical music. Kim, who has previously performed Alexey Shor's works, shared his appreciation for the composer's distinct musical style, noting that 'it is great that some composers today are still writing in tonal music, rather than atonal. Alexey Shor is writing tonal music, and I admire such a creative activity very much, because musical art is the most beautiful art and it has the capacity to save the world!' Kim's April 6th performance will feature Shor's Violin Concerto No. 2, 'Phantasms', a work that blends lyrical expressiveness with virtuosic flair. Speaking about the concerto, Kim remarked that, 'I have already performed part of this piece—'Flight of the Falcon'—and I think it's a fantastic idea to incorporate it into a full concerto. I'm very happy to be one of the performers bringing this work to life.' Beyond his participation in InClassica 2025, Kim has a busy year ahead with a host of performances, masterclasses, and projects. 'I have many exciting projects this year,' he said. 'I will be playing twelve concerts in Munich, featuring traditional repertoire, as well as performances in Taiwan, Romania, Italy, France, and more. In China, I'll be sitting on the jury of an international competition this July, and I will also be giving many summer academies and masterclasses, as well as concerts of course. Additionally, I'm working on launching my own violin string company, as I've been producing my own strings for many years. It's a lot of work, but I'm very excited!' For more information about InClassica 2025, Roman Kim's performance and Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor visit today.
Gulf Today
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
‘Great that composers like Alexey Shor are writing tonal music,' says Roman Kim
The InClassica International Music Festival will soon be returning to Dubai from April 6th to 21st, 2025, celebrating its 14th annual edition with an extraordinary lineup of world-renowned soloists, conductors, and orchestras. Taking place at the prestigious Dubai Opera, this year's festival holds special significance as it marks the 55th birthday of Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor , a prolific artist who is hailed amongst the most influential voices in the contemporary classical music scene. Among the star performers gracing the stage at this edition is the celebrated violinist Roman Kim, who will headline the festival's opening concert on April 6th. Kim, widely regarded as one of the most innovative violinists of his generation, expressed his excitement at joining the festival, stating that 'I'm very honored and very happy to be part of this festival, to open it, and to perform on stage with such great musicians. It's a truly special occasion, and I'm really excited!' For his performance at InClassica, Kim will be collaborating with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia under the baton of the esteemed UK conductor John Warner. Reflecting on this upcoming partnership, Kim noted that 'I have never performed with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia before, so it will be an incredible experience for me. I'm really looking forward to playing with them at this festival.' Alexey Shor, InClassica Composer-in-Residence. As InClassica continues to expand classical music's reach in the Middle East, this edition will highlight the works of Alexey Shor, celebrating his rich legacy and plentiful contributions to contemporary classical music. Kim, who has previously performed Alexey Shor's works, shared his appreciation for the composer's distinct musical style, noting that 'it is great that some composers today are still writing in tonal music, rather than atonal. Alexey Shor is writing tonal music, and I admire such a creative activity very much, because musical art is the most beautiful art and it has the capacity to save the world!' Kim's April 6th performance will feature Shor's Violin Concerto No. 2, 'Phantasms', a work that blends lyrical expressiveness with virtuosic flair. Speaking about the concerto, Kim remarked that, 'I have already performed part of this piece—'Flight of the Falcon'—and I think it's a fantastic idea to incorporate it into a full concerto. I'm very happy to be one of the performers bringing this work to life.' Beyond his participation in InClassica 2025, Kim has a busy year ahead with a host of performances, masterclasses, and projects. 'I have many exciting projects this year,' he said. 'I will be playing twelve concerts in Munich, featuring traditional repertoire, as well as performances in Taiwan, Romania, Italy, France, and more. In China, I'll be sitting on the jury of an international competition this July, and I will also be giving many summer academies and masterclasses, as well as concerts of course. Additionally, I'm working on launching my own violin string company, as I've been producing my own strings for many years. It's a lot of work, but I'm very excited!' For more information about InClassica 2025, Roman Kim's performance and Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor visit today.
What's On
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
This month-long classical music festival returns to Dubai in April
A celebration of outstanding classical music… Classical music fans, take note. InClassica International Music Festival 2025 returns to Dubai next month, taking place from April 6 to 21, taking place at Dubai Opera. The two-week festival will bring together an incredible lineup of world-renowned perfumers who have classical music running through their veins. As with previous editions, expect a packed line-up of astonishing young talent and the world's most established and famous musicians. The music festival opens with a performance by Roman Kim – the winner of International Violin Competition, Valsesia Musica . Kim shot to fame in 2012 when he astonished music lovers across the world with his ability to play all four parts of Bach's Air on a single violin. (Seriously, you have to watch this video on YouTube). On the night, he won't be alone, as he will join forces with Franz Schubert Filharmonia and American conductor, Sergey Smbatyan. For music fans who prefer hearing the tickling of ivories, Mikhail Pletnev who is regarded among the finest living pianists, will be performing on multiple night during the music festival. The first will be on April 9, where he will be joining the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. On April 12, he will join Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich (pictured above), conducting the Franz Schubert Filharmonia. Lozakovich was chosen to play at the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris – an event culture fans across the whole world had their eyes on, so there's zero doubt about his musical greatness. Above: On April 19, Pletnev will perform for a third time, presenting a solo recital delighting audiences with a selection of works that spans the best of the classical music world. But this won't be the last time you hear from him, as he will once again join Lozakovich on stage on the grand finale on April 21 to close the music festival. It's a night music lovers won't forget, as it will be filled with melodious tunes from two of the biggest names in the contemporary music world. *All the upcoming performances in Dubai in 2025 you need to know* Other award-winning performers include acclaimed Italian violinist Giuseppe Gibboni and the renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, marking their first appearance at the music festival on April 7. On April 8, expect classical favourites performed by Franz Schubert Filharmonia alongside the distinguished French cellist Edgar Moreau, led by Spanish conductor Tomàs Grau. We will also be graced by the music of one of the foremost violinists of our time, Gil Shaham on April 14, and on April 17, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform under Andrea Battistoni presenting a symphonic concert. Tickets are already on sale on and prices to see any of the shows start from Dhs199. Tickets for the shows are nearly selling out, so book the ones you want to see quick. InClassica International Music Festival, Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, April 6 to 21, from Dhs199. Tel: (0)4 440 8888. @dubaiopera Images: Getty Images > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Khaleej Times
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
"Alexey Shor is a composer with a unique style," says Daniel Lozakovich ahead of InClassica 2025
Dubai is set to welcome back the acclaimed InClassica International Music Festival this April 2025, as the prestigious classical music event makes its eagerly-awaited return for its 14th edition. Running from April 6 to 21 at Dubai Opera, this year's festival promises an unforgettable celebration of classical music, uniting world-class musicians, conductors, and orchestras for a special edition honouring the 55th birthday of composer-in-residence Alexey Shor. Among the stellar artists gracing the stage is Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich, a prodigious talent who has captivated audiences worldwide with his emotional performances and technical brilliance. Since making his solo debut at just nine years old, Lozakovich has performed with some of the world's most renowned orchestras and conductors, earning widespread acclaim for his deeply expressive interpretations. A Deutsche Grammophon recording artist since the age of 15, he has built an impressive discography that includes works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Shor. Lozakovich's participation in InClassica 2025 is highly anticipated, with the violinist set to perform in two concerts — on April 12 and April 21. These performances will see him collaborating with the Franz Schubert Filharmonia under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev, as well as presenting a duo recital where Pletnev will accompany him on piano. Remarking on the opportunity to return to InClassica, Lozakovich reflected on the importance of bringing classical music to new audiences, stating that "the most wonderful thing for me is that I have the chance to bring immortal music, which is the most important thing for creating hope for people, and, in particular, to bring this to a place like Dubai. It's such an important contribution to help develop culture and to bring dreams, hope, and reflections of the soul." For Lozakovich, InClassica is a festival unlike any other, with the violinist speaking passionately about InClassica's impact in the UAE, noting the festival's role in cultivating a deeper appreciation for classical music in the region. "Music is something that protects your dreams," he declared, "and it is one of the greatest things to help bring about, especially in a place where it's quite new, like Dubai. And once it starts, it can develop very quickly. Twenty years ago, China had this cultural boom; it was quite new then, and now it's one of the main places for the arts. That's why it's so important to evolve classical music in different regions." Lozakovich's two performances at InClassica 2025 will showcase an exciting and diverse selection of works. In his first concert, the soloist, under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev, will present Alexey Shor's Phoenix Fantasy and Verdiana, two pieces which, in his words, 'represent new visions, a new voice, and we always have to support contemporary music because this brings new dimensions of feelings, and dimensions of feeling that touch the heart.' Then, for their duo recital, Lozakovich and Pletnev will present an eclectic programme featuring Schubert's Sonatina, Grieg's Sonata, Franck's Sonata, and the Shor/Pletnev Sonata. The violinist described this programme as an 'exhibition' of different musical cultures and styles, stating that "these are all different genres, all different spirits, and all different styles. We wanted to show, in some ways, a whole exhibition of different cultures, different times, and different expressions that are each equally immortal." A firm advocate for Alexey Shor's music, Lozakovich praised the composer's ability to create melodies that resonate with both musicians and audiences, as he explained that "Alexey Shor is a composer with a unique style. There is a touch of heart in his melodies, and the way his music is written. Usually, contemporary music is quite complex and is not always very interesting. With Alexey Shor's music, there is always a touch of heart which is unique for contemporary music." Looking ahead beyond InClassica, Lozakovich revealed that he has an exciting season coming up, with scheduled performances in Australia, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, as well as a major new project — the formation of his own string orchestra! "This is being put together for next year', he said. "It's an initiative where I'm combining people with a strong spirit, and people I admire as musicians, all brought together in one string orchestra at the highest level, and this is something I'm very much looking forward to!" For more information about the 2025 edition of InClassica, held in honour of Alexey Shor, and to purchase tickets for any of the concerts, do make sure to visit today.
