The 2012/2013 Master Series concert season kicks off on Wednesday with a classical music programme that spans seven centuries.
The group responsible for the task is the celebrated Dutch collective Calefax Reed Quintet. Their performance marks the first of many scheduled programmes at Ductac, stretching all the way to June next year.
Featured artists include the Schubert Ensemble of London, scheduled to perform on October 8, the Spanish classic group Gli Incogniti with the virtuoso violinist Amandine Beyer on October 21 and the Russian pianist Veronika Ilinskaya on December 5.
The Calefax's clarinettist Ivar Berix says the group is "stoked" at being invited to perform in the UAE.
"I am very excited that Calefax are to perform in Dubai for the first time," he says. "It is always great to discover new parts of the world."
Berix promises a "classical and romantic" programme that includes Felix Mendelssohn's Hebrides overture and a Spanish fandango by the Italian composer Luigi Boccherini.
The group also plans to pay tribute to their homeland's classical music traditions with both landmark and modern pieces.
"A special part of the programme we'll play will be the combination of two Dutch pieces," says Berix.
"One is by [Jan Pieterszoon] Sweelinck, the great Dutch composer from the 16th century and one by Mayke Nas, a composer and good friend of ours, who has written the exciting piece Entrez for Calefax's three highest reed instruments: oboe, soprano saxophone and clarinet."
Those attending the 8pm performance on Wednesday should note that until 7.50pm, admission is only granted to invitation holders, with the seats in the front rows reserved for the sponsors and their guests. After 7.50pm, the remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Calefax Reed Quintet is playing at Ductac in Dubai's Mall of Emirates on Wednesday at 8pm. For details, visit www.dubaiconcertcommittee.com.
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Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
