A stunning piano recital from French prodigy Lydie Solomon opened the revitalised Abu Dhabi Classics 2014/2015 concert season last night, with the soloist receiving a standing ovation after her debut appearance in Arabia.

Playing to a full house at the Manarat Al Saadiyat arts and culture centre on Saadiyat Island, the 32-year-old soloist led the audience through her concert dedicated to the travels of Polish composer Frdric Chopin.

The performance was part of this seasons Classics theme The Traveller - highlighting some of the best classical music from East and West.
Following a three-year break, Abu Dhabi Classics has been reintroduced by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs from October until May. Leading international musicians and orchestras will perform at numerous venues across Abu Dhabi city, Saadiyat Island and the emirates heritage heartland, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al Ain.

Solomon, whose father is French and mother is South Korean, started playing the piano at the age of two by playing Beethovens Ode to Joy by ear. At 10 years old, she gave her first recital at Belgiums Printemps Musical de Silly and at 13 her first broadcast concert with the Orchestre de la Garde Rpublicaine for Radio France.

Speaking after last nights sold out concert she said: This was very emotional for me. The audience was part of the story and we were all on a journey together. It was a great pleasure for me to perform here in Abu Dhabi as I am always moved to discover new cultures, languages and people. This is my first time in an Arabic country and I have been very impressed and am already looking forward to returning.

I love Chopin and I feel really connected to him. Since my youngest days aged around ten or 11, Ive felt a connection with his extreme sensitivity and most of the pieces I play describe the way I feel. Chopin was a great traveller and I love taking the audience from one place to another and from one state of mind to another. A concert is me and the audience embarking on and finishing a journey together.
Dr Ronald Perlwitz, Head of Music Programming, Culture Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi, said the evening was an outstanding success and showed the level of talent that has been attracted to perform in the emirate during the Classics season.

Lydies performance was a stunning start to the Classics season. The audience was treated to a masterful display of her ability, and this curtain-opener bodes extremely well for a series which has been very well received on the classical music circuit, both regionally and internationally, said Dr Perlwitz.

The Abu Dhabi Classics season continues on October 27th with a free performance by some of the United Arab Emirates finest artistes at the Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain, for a night of classical music and poetry starring Faisal Al Saari, Abdullah Al Heydah and Ali Mohammed Matar Helal Al Keebali.

The first month of the season ends with a performance by world-renowned violinist Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra at Abu Dhabi Theatre on 28th October.

On November 20th, Spanish composer Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI will perform the highly anticipated world premiere of Ibn Battuta: Voyager of Islam at Emirates Palace.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ae
For more information on Abu Dhabi Classics see www.abudhabievents.ae