The Lebanese National Oriental-Arabic Orchestra opened its 2026-2027 musical season with an evening honoring the late composer Walid Gholmieh, at the invitation of Hiba Kawas, head of the National Higher Conservatory of Music, under the direction of maestro Andre El Hage, with the participation of the Oriental Department Choir supervised by Catherine Ghali.
The concert was held as part of the “Walid Gholmieh Year 2026” events, marking the fifteenth anniversary of his passing and honoring his contributions to the development of Lebanese music and his transformation of its popular melodies into the symphonic realm.
In her remarks, Kawas emphasized the importance of Gholmieh’s legacy, noting that he founded the Oriental-Arabic Orchestra and established new traditions in musical performance. She stressed the need to further develop this project, attract new musicians and expand its cultural presence across different Lebanese regions.
The program included a selection of Gholmieh’s most prominent compositions, among them “Ya Saken el Layl,” “El Manadil,” “Fatat wa Mir’at” and “Bolero,” alongside well-known songs such as “Rejaana,” “Qal’a Kabira,” “Oul lel Helwa” and “Yislam Lina Lebnan.”
Maestro Andre El Hage led a musical direction that highlighted the richness of the orchestral arrangements and the complex rhythms that distinguished Gholmieh’s works, while the choir added a moving, emotional atmosphere.
The evening saw exceptional engagement from the audience, who joined in singing the patriotic pieces and called for the orchestra’s return to the stage, before the audience continued on its own to sing “Yislam Lina Lebnan.”
The concert concluded with an affirmation of the Conservatory’s commitment to continuing Walid Gholmieh’s legacy, preserving Lebanese musical identity and developing its presence on the global stage.
