Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Abu Dhabi Classics introduced an exceptional musical event at the Emirates Palace Auditorium on Saturday, 14 March 2009. The evening was highlighted by the presentation of an exquisite musical combination before a sold-out audience and a number of VIPs, bringing together the weekend’s second concert for Zubin Mehta and the Vienna Philharmonic who were joined by the world-renowned Chinese pianist, Lang Lang.

These artists graced the Emirates Palace Auditorium, performing a number of masterpieces including: Wagner’s ‘Overture to Rienzi’, Chopin’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor’ and well as Strauss’ ‘Ein Heldenleben’ (A Hero’s Life).

The event was attended by H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, H.E. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Deputy Chairman, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and H.E. Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade.

Performing before a sold-out audience is nothing new for any of the artists present. In particular 26-year-old Chinese pianist Lang Lang is no stranger to this. He has preformed recitals and concerts in every major city in the world. Additionally Lang Lang is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and all of the ‘Big 5’ American orchestras.

Very few musicians, if any today, can boast the same amount of prestigious awards received than the achieved Zubin Mehta. Indeed, the Indian-born conductor ranks among the finest. He is an honorary citizen of Florence and was made an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera. He was also presented the Lifetime Achievement Peace and Tolerance Award of the United Nations. In addition, Mehta is an honorary conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic, the Munich Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The Vienna Philharmonic has fascinated many prominent composers and conductors, as well as audiences the world over, with its homogenous musical style, bequeathed from one generation of musicians to the next, since its inception in 1842. Central to the orchestra’s mission is the communication of music’s humanitarian message in accordance to Ludwig Van Beethoven’s motto: “From the heart, to the heart”.

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