Dubai's InClassica International Music Festival returns with composer Alexey Shor at centre stage
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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.
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"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.
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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.'
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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.
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'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."
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