Invited by the President of the National Higher Institute of Music, composer Hiba Kawas, the "Chamber Music" concert series was inaugurated with an opening performance at the Arab Hall of the Nicola Saad Museum, featuring the globally renowned Lebanese viola player Ribal Malak and Swiss violinist Tania Song. Malak was chosen for this collaboration as part of a campaign launched by Kawas, aiming to reconnect expatriate Lebanese musicians, who have excelled globally, with their homeland by sharing their musical knowledge and rich experience with their primary institution, the National Conservatory. This project also seeks to strengthen the bonds between expatriate Lebanon and resident Lebanon, enriching both Lebanon and the conservatory with global skills.
Malak is one of the prominent Lebanese musicians widely recognized outside Lebanon. His love for his homeland led him to respond to the institute's president’s invitation to share his musical expertise with the conservatory, where he serves as the First Chair in the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and coordinator of the string department. He also holds the position of Artistic Director at the Sumito Foundation in Zurich and is the founder of the Malak Chamber Music Festival in Switzerland.
The Arab Hall in Sarisak Palace transformed into an enchanting night reminiscent of noble eras, where inspiring classical music and dazzling performances merged in a refined atmosphere, reflecting the grandeur of music and the allure of the venue and its esteemed audience. The concert was attended by cultural, diplomatic, and political figures, as well as a distinguished elite from the Lebanese cultural community. Ribal Malak delivered a captivating performance alongside his wife, violinist Tania Song, who is the concertmaster of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and a recipient of numerous international awards for her violin performance. The musical duo impressed the audience at the inaugural chamber music concert with their high-quality, distinguished performance.
They presented a rare repertoire for both the violin and viola, particularly noteworthy given the scarcity of works for these two instruments together, creating a sublime world of magic and astonishment. The audience was transported through a timeless journey, featuring magnificent duets for violin and viola by Bach, Mozart, Handel, Robert Fuchs, and Carlos Gardel. The musicians conceived a rare musical fusion, characterized by striking harmony and fluidity in playing, which had a magical effect on the audience at an exceptionally high and inspiring level.
The grandeur of the venue, with the opulence of the palace that befits chamber music, flourished in noble eras when it was performed in the salons of palaces dedicated to this refined type of music. Additionally, the hall's rich historical and Arab design blended beautifully with European music, transforming the setting into an imagined corner of a European palace with an Arab touch. The musical atmosphere crafted by the performers took the audience on an extraordinary journey through time. Notably, the musicians’ ability to captivate listeners through their remarkable harmony and the interplay of simultaneous notes, along with the high technical proficiency they demonstrated, particularly with Malak's use of the very challenging viola, which adds significant difficulty to performance due to its age and nature, showcased their exceptional skills and world-class level.
The concert at Sarisak Palace set a new and distinct standard for chamber music performances in Lebanon through these musicians. Due to the event’s success, the concert will be repeated in other locations, marking the beginning of a series of chamber music performances that the conservatory will spread across various regions in Lebanon.
