UAE National Orchestra Launches Inaugural Season With The Beginning In January

The UAE National Orchestra has confirmed guest artists and January performance dates for "The Beginning," its inaugural concert series. The programme marks the first full public outing of the 70-piece orchestra with 30-strong choir, appearing across six Emirates as part of the opening season and setting out a national orchestral identity.

The Beginning concert series starts on 15th January 2026 at Emirates Palace Auditorium in Abu Dhabi. Additional performances follow in Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah during January. These dates represent the first time the entire ensemble performs live for audiences across the UAE in a sustained touring format.

The UAE National Orchestra has released an initial schedule for The Beginning concert series, led by the Abu Dhabi debut. While full venue details for some cities are still to be announced, the January tour is designed to reach audiences in major urban centres and cultural hubs across the country during the orchestra’s first season.

Programmes for The Beginning concert series differ between Emirates, with guest soloists appearing in selected cities. Abu Dhabi and Dubai performances feature Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma with Turkish qanun specialist Aytaç Doğan. Their collaboration places Arabic instruments within a symphonic frame, highlighting a musical dialogue between regional traditions and Western orchestral practice.

Central to The Beginning concert series is The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony by composer Nadim Tarabay, written as a tribute to the UAE’s musical heritage. The programme also presents Alexander Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor in an oriental orchestral arrangement, alongside Shamma’s works Ishraq for oud and orchestra and Journey of Souls for oud and qanun.

Amine Kouider, Artistic Director and Conductor of the UAE National Orchestra, said that the series launches a new artistic direction and introduces the ensemble’s sound to the public. "Works such as Ishraq and Journey of Souls allow the oud and qanun to take a leading role, while the symphonic work by Nadim Tarabay brings the full orchestra and choir together in a powerful collective form. Collaborating with celebrated artists such as Naseer Shamma and Aytaç Doğan adds depth to this dialogue and enriches the musical experience for our audiences," he stated.

The leadership of the UAE National Orchestra links The Beginning concert series to a wider cultural vision for the country. "The Beginning is more than a concert. It is a declaration of creative confidence and a reflection of the UAE’s belief that culture and music can unite us in pride and possibility. It marks an important moment for the UAE National Orchestra and for audiences across the country," said Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra. Sheikha Alia added, "Through these performances, we are sharing a sound that belongs to this country, rooted in heritage, forward-looking in spirit and shaped through a blend of music between the East and West. Performing across the Emirates is central to our purpose, and this first chapter reflects our commitment to making orchestral music part of the UAE’s cultural landscape."

The UAE National Orchestra stated that the chosen repertoire expresses a commitment to high artistic standards and to a musical approach that links heritage and symphonic form. The concert series follows the orchestra’s first public appearance during the Eid Al Etihad official ceremony on 2nd December and represents a further step in defining a shared national sound for audiences across the UAE.

Tickets for The Beginning concert series are currently on sale through the UAE National Orchestra website, with further February and March dates to be announced. For audiences in the UAE and the wider region, the tour offers an early opportunity to hear the ensemble’s developing musical identity in live performances across multiple Emirates.

With inputs from WAM