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Malek Jandali "Musician of the Revolution" to participate in national Refugee Week, Australia

Announcement posted by Brave Media 11 Jun 2017

A Syrian Symphony for Peace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: It is an honour for Brave Media to announce the first Australian visit of award winning Syrian-American composer, pianist and humanitarian activist, Malek Jandali, who will participate in a series of engagements during National Refugee Week in Australia (16-25 June) by special arrangement with Soul b Music and Pianos for Peace.

German born, Syrian-American composer and pianist Malek Jandali  is a leading figure in today’s music world. He has used the power of music to impact the international community. Beyond Syria and the Middle-East, he has been described as: “the Musician of the Revolution’ and following the Arab Spring, was one of the first artists abroad to speak out against the Assad regime and state oppression.

Malek is a member of the Recording Academy and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He was honoured with the 2013 GUSI International Peace Prize and the 2014 Global Music Humanitarian Award for his ongoing world tour The Voice of the Free Syrian Children and dedication to peace and humanitarian causes.

In May this year, Malek joined the refugees in their journey for peace, freedom and dignity at the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan, which is home to 80,0000 refugees.

In 2015, he founded Pianos for Peace, a non-profit dedicated to building peace through music and education—and was recognized by the Carnegie Corporation of New York alongside Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman as a ‘Great Immigrant’ for his contributions to society.

He has performed with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, Zagreb Philharmonic, The Stockholm Solister, and on major concert stages in London, New York, Vienna, Madrid, and Dubai.

“Malek Jandali’s music comes at a time when melodies are expected to liberate us from the gravity of modern forces, restrained in a narrow philosophy of entertainment in an era of devastating wars and disasters,” states Mohamed Alsiadi, Malek Jandali Trio.

The fundamental message of my music is to preserve and present the rich cultural heritage of Syria,” says Malek Jandali. “I am honored to present these meaningful works on this ‘Syrian Symphony for Peace’ tour in Australia, especially during national refugee week in solidarity with the children of Syria.

Malek Jandali’s Australian Debut Performance will echo UNESCO’s global call for the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. His debut concert will feature original selected music, which integrates ancient folk melodies from Aleppo and the Silk Road into works that are preserving the musical heritage of Syria.

An evening with Malek Jandali, in conversation with inimitable Australian author and storyteller, John Hockney, on Friday 16 June at the Blue Mountains Theatre kicks off Refugee Week with Malek’s Australian debut concert: A Syrian Symphony for Peace.

“It is a great honour to have such an internationally esteemed artist and humanitarian grace the stage of the Blue Mountains Theatre for his Australian debut performance. We expect this cultural event to be a major highlight of National Refugee Week,” states Yvonne Hellmers, Programs Coordinator for the Blue Mountains Theatre.

On Friday 23 June, Sydney Peace Foundation co-presents, Ode to Syria, with STARTTS and Amnesty Australia on Friday 23 June at St. Stephens Uniting Church, Sydney. This event marks Refugee Week and International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with an evening of Syrian music, arts and stories.

Malek will be guest of honour at an official World Refugee Day event, Tuesday 20 June at NSW Parliament, In Conversation with award-winning artist and activist, Ben Quilty.

As a finale of the program, Malek will perform in one full Sydney concert only with the Australian premiere of Malek Jandali Trio on Saturday 24 JuneA Syrian Symphony for Peace at the Sydney Opera House, presented by Vision of Humanity.

Vision of Humanity are the global leaders in developing peace metrics and peace education and annually present the annual Global Peace Index. In the 11th edition of the index in 2017, Syria remains the least peaceful country for the fifth year running, having fallen 64 places since the index began – the largest decline of the past decade.

Huffington Post stated: “Jandali’s music tells a story of Syria beyond the politics. It tells the story of the humanity, healing the psychological wounds of the Syrian people.”

“Music is a terrific avenue to assist people to heal from trauma. It translates across cultures in a way that language cannot, and the more that we learn about music and the brain, the more it makes sense to utilise what is one of the most ancient healing methods to complement other therapeutic approaches or even as an approach on its own.” Jorge Aroche, CEO STARTTS

“At a time when much of the world it seems cloaked in darkness, Malek Jandali uses music as a beacon for peace. The Australian Guild of Screen Composers warmly welcomes Malek to Australia and looks forward to learning more about the role of the artist in helping bring about peace through music and education.” – Guy Gross, President AGSC

“Malek Jandali embodies so many of the characteristics we work to encourage and foster in our students…not only consummate musicianship but generosity of spirit, kindness of heart and intensity of intellect all put to work for the betterment of others. Malek Jandali is an inspiration.” – Ian Barker, R/Principal, Conservatorium High School, Conservatorium of Music, Sydney


INTERNATIONAL PRAISE

“Jandali’s music is gorgeous, haunting, yearning and full of hope, with a pain more personal than that of Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninov.”
– David Firman, Conductor Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

“As a composer endowed with flair, versatility and ingenuity, Jandali seeks to evoke empathy where there is none.”
– Miriam Awadallah

“A new symphonic mastery that was clearly not brought about only by a reaction to contemporary events but also by sustained contact with the well-springs of polyphonic elegant music.”
– Thomas Ludwig LSO

“A major new addition to the 21st Century’s symphonic literature.”
– Fanfare Magazine

“Moving and thought provoking“.
– NPR

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ENDS

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to society. Celebrated since 1986, Refugee Week (18-24 June) coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June). The theme for Refugee Week in 2017 is, “With courage let us all combine”.

FULL VISIT SCHEDULE – DEBUT AUSTRALIAN TOUR

7.30PM FRIDAY 16 JUNE (AUSTRALIAN DEBUT)
A Syrian Symphony for Peace –An Evening with Malek Jandali
www.bluemountainstheatre.com

6.30PM TUESDAY 20 JUNE (WORLD REFUGEE DAY)
NSW Parliament, Strangers’ Room
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED OUT
Recovering Humanity – Malek Jandali in Conversation with Ben Quilty

7.30PM FRIDAY 23 JUNE (MAJOR REFUGEE WEEK EVENT)
St. Stephens Uniting Church, Sydney
Ode to Syria – An evening of Syrian Music, Arts & Stories with Sydney Peace Foundation, STARTTS & Amnesty
http://bit.ly/odetosyria

7.30PM SATURDAY 24 JUNE (ONE NIGHT ONLY)
FINALE CONCERT
Vision of Humanity Presents
A Syrian Symphony for Peace – Australian Premiere of Malek Jandali Trio
Sydney Opera House, Utzon Room
LIMITED TICKETS
www.sydneyoperahouse.com

6.30PM TUESDAY JUNE 27 (ONLY ACADEMIC PANEL)
Sydney Ideas: Distinguished Speaker Series
The War in Syria: Abuses of Human Rights & The Destruction of Culture
Law School Foyer, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney
RSVP Essential

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SEE MALEK JANDALI’S FULL VISIT SCHEDULE AT:
https://bravemediaaus.com/2017/04/29/a-syrian-symphony-for-peace/

For media enquiries or to arrange interviews contact:
Karen Collier 0422 929 028 or
bravemedia.karen@gmail.com
Press photos at: http://malekjandali.com/press-kit/
Discover more at:
www.malekjandali.com