08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
From Japan to UAE: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra debuts at Dubai Opera at InClassica
Featuring a programme celebrating a rich tapestry of talent performed by renowned soloists and orchestras, the InClassica International Music Festival 2025 is scheduled to make a grand return to Dubai in April. The world's biggest musical observatory, which has received high praise from audiences and critics alike during its short run, is returning for a very special 14th edition dedicated to the 55th birthday of its composer-in-residence, maestro Alexey Shor, a renowned contemporary artist who has written some of the most cherished pieces of the 21st century. Held from the 6th to the 21st of the month at the breathtaking Dubai Opera, the grand affair will present a total of 16 concerts across a two-week line-up, featuring two philharmonic orchestras, 14 internationally lauded soloists and five esteemed conductors of classical pieces traversing composers from past to present.
One of the two chief orchestras showcasing their musical talents at the event is the Tokyo Philharmonic, a globally acclaimed ensemble known as the oldest symphony orchestra in Japan, performing under the baton of its chief conductor, Andrea Battistoni. The orchestra will be seen participating in six different concerts at InClassica featuring an exciting repertoire of classical works and world-class soloists such as Giuseppe Gibboni (Italy), Gautier Capuçon (France), David Aaron Carpenter (United States), Mikhail Pletnev (Switzerland), Behzod Abduraimov (Uzbekistan), Fabrizio Meloni (Italy) and Fumiaki Miuri (Japan), among others.
Their programmes are carefully designed to highlight the orchestra's versatility and functionality, featuring masterpieces from classical geniuses such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Borodin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as well as contemporary works by resident composer Alexey Shor including the world premiere of his Violin Concerto No. 7 and collaboration with Mikhail Pletnev, Suite for Piano and Orchestra No. 2, "From My Bookshelf".
Expressing their excitement about their upcoming performances at the upcoming festival, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra declared, ''We are proud to announce that this is the first time a Japanese orchestra will perform at the InClassica International Music Festival in Dubai, and we are committed to making the most of this rare and special opportunity. We carefully refined our programme with Maestro Andrea Battistoni to bring out the distinctive characteristics of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring six different pieces with different soloists, including Alexey Shor's vibrant and approachable compositions. We're confident that everyone will thoroughly enjoy the combination of Battistoni and the Tokyo Philharmonic!''
For more information about the 14th edition of the InClassica International Music Festival 2025, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and composer-in-ressidence Alexey Shor visit the official website at
