Chineke! Orchestra: Arabic Symphony
The Ayoub Sisters’ celebration of Arabic music and landscapes tops a kaleidoscopic concert that takes in works by composers from Ravel to Valerie Coleman.
Valerie Coleman’s Umoja – the Swahili word for ‘unity’ – opens tonight’s concert. Originally composed as a simple song for women’s choir, the orchestral version brings an expansion and sophistication to the short and sweet melody, dancing and weaving throughout the instrument families.
A single oboe tells a story in Shepherd’s Song. Composer Ali Osman gives voice to solitude and landscape through flowing, folk-inspired melodies.
Grammy Award-winning soprano Axelle Fanyo is the soloist for Ravel’s musical fantasy Shéhérazade.
Emmy-nominated composer Kareem Roustom blends Middle Eastern traditions with contemporary colours in Ramal.
Closing the concert is the English premiere of The Ayoub Sisters’ Arabic Symphony, a celebration of their Egyptian heritage giving a flavour of the Middle East with a classical sound.
Performers
Chineke! Orchestra
Fawzi Haimor conductor
Armand Djikoloum oboe
Axelle Fanyo soprano
Repertoire
Valerie Coleman: Umoja - anthem of unity
Osman: The Shepherd's song for oboe & strings
Ravel: Shéhérazade
Interval
Kareem Roustom: Ramal
The Ayoub Sisters: Arabic Symphony (London premiere)
Need to know
Reviews
‘joyful, thoroughly convincing creation, with vivid storytelling, verve and colour’The Scotsman on Arabic Symphony
‘Umoja … arcs from serene peace to racing tension before emerging in sunlit joy. That’s a lot in 10 or so minutes.’The Philadelphia Inquirer
‘propulsive, colorful and immediately appealing creation’New York Times on Ramal
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
11 Oct 2026, 7.30pm
Run time
2 hours (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £17 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
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Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
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This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
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