Under the bustle of the corporate world, a palpable creative energy is burgeoning owing to the contemporary music and art scene in the UAE. This region has been a gracious host to some of the finest musical voices from around the world, with thousands flocking to cheer and cherish their favourite artists in the flesh. But all the “big-time” mayhem muffles the unique voice of the local artists and their expression. 'Movement,' a concept and show I put together piece by piece, intends to give the stage, front and centre, to those creators - musical and artistic - who form the backbone of the creative movements in the UAE.
In a place like Dubai, the opportunities and venues for a singer/songwriter to showcase original work on a large scale aren't easy to come by, but that being said, there is no place like our little city to venture out, be innovative and create one's own opportunities. 'Movement' is one such self-concocted opportunity which, at the heart of it, is a musical menagerie but in the bigger picture, it is a grand showcase for my music accompanied by the the prestigious UAE Philharmonic Orchestra led by world-renowned conductor Philipp Maier. But what started out as an idea that marries contemporary and classical music, has now grown into being one of those rare collaborations between over 100 musicians and artists of the region, whose collective talent and efforts will not only represent the arts scene here but will also truly mark the emergence of the region's creative force from the wings to give the UAE audience, for the first time, a performance that is authentic and true to its culture and mirrors its diversity.
Music and Sound
The show is 90 minutes long split in two halves (with one of those old-school bell-induced intermissions so people can step outside, exchange notes about the concert over a cigarette.) Featuring all original music that I've written and composed, but all songs have been rearranged to fit this magnified format and to do the same, I've been working with renowned regional Producer / Songwriter Reiner Erlings in co-composing all the arrangements for the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra along with defining the overall phonic experience of the show.
With an immense and lush texture of an orchestra along with a menagerie of musicians who form the core band, the instrumentation ranges from guitarists, harpists, live electronic percussion to an unconventional choir founded in the UAE, specially for this concert, comprising 8 unique voices who will also play the part of DIY percussionists, creating live rhythmic tones using everything from spoons, hard-bound books, wires, brooms, cans to wind-up toys and music boxes.
Sennheiser is the official audio sponsor and have been amazingly supportive from the very first meeting, when I took my concept to them hoping to have them on board. They will be bringing down and showcasing, for the first time in the region, the brilliant, top-of-the-line
digital microphones by Neumann. Delta Sound will be handling all the live sound on the night and team up with Sennheiser to record the concert live.
Art Direction and Visuals
Scheduled to be held at the Palladium in Dubai, and Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the experience will be further augmented by the grand set design by Emirates Woman of the Year Award Nominee, Art Director and a general force to be reckoned with - Diya Ajit, who will lead a team of UAE-based mixed-media artists and film makers to create the visual landscape of the show using techniques of projections and shadow theatre, the combination of the two, along with grand set design and construction to add conceptual and theatrical value to the show. 
'Movement' is a creative journey that traverses a myriad of influences
and performance arts, creating an experience that is absorbing and full of life.
Still in the process of finalizing funding (talk about alliteration), the final dates and time of the shows are yet to be set in place. For any questions about the concert, especially if
you are someone or knows someone who would like to contribute to funding, event management, please contact me on gayathri.movement@gmail.com.
Coming soon: Videos on the making of 'Movement' / Creation of the orchestral score / Rehearsals/ Set and Visual design.
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