Passing the conductor’s baton

The Syrian National Symphonic Orchestra is now led by a young man filled with big dreams and an ambition that knows no bounds. His name is Missak Baghboudarian and since assuming his new job as Conductor of the Orchestra in 2003, he has managed to impress and educate, promoting classical music with style and passion, throughout Syria and the Arab World.

Under Missak Baghboudarian’s stirring, energetic and talented direction, the Syrian National Symphonic Orchestra (SNSO) has been producing a big, hearty sound that has yet to lose its transparency. This kind of music is a new trend in Syria, and although many regard the symphony as a novelty and an upper class function that they will go to only so they may snobbishly boast about attending, we are thankful that others see it as a special hope for a richer and more diverse musical future in Syria.
The Syrian Orchestra’s performance is always full of energy and style. Every member of the SNSO understands they will be in for some exciting musical times in the coming years as they individually and collectively develop their professionalism.  
FW: met Baghboudarian at his office at the Higher Institute of Music. Baghboudarian has been the resident conductor of the Orchestra since 2003 and he has used his time to showcase his pride in his home country. Five years have passed since Baghboudarian undertook the Symphony’s leadership. Since then he has conducted many concerts with the group, earning the respect of critics, audiences, and more importantly, musicians in the orchestra.
“When I was a little boy, my mother used to tell me you have to know who Beethoven is, whether you become a doctor or an ambassador, or you join any other profession,” recalls Baghboudarian. Time elapsed, and not only does he know who Beethoven is, his musical talents have grown so he can now brilliantly lead the National Orchestra to perform Beethoven’s music with impressive intimacy and aplomb. “It is slowly happening, we are getting there,” he says with a satisfied smile on his face. “People are gradually striving for this kind of music, and they are asking for more performances.” 
Born in Syria in 1973, Baghboudarian is one of the world’s youngest conductors. He began studying music at the State Music School of Damascus, acquiring a diploma for the Piano in 1987. In 1994, he began to study conducting with Maestro Sulhi al-Wadi. Baghboudarian made his debut in December of that year at the Ommayad Conference Hall. In 1997, he moved to Italy where he spent four years devoted to developing his skills, and was awarded a diploma in the international conducting courses in 2002. Baghboudarian studied conducting with Maestro Pinzauti as well as experimental composition with Maestro Mauro Cardi at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. By now Baghboudarian had begun to earn international respect and his talents attracted influential attention. In February 2001, he was invited to conduct the Amadeus Orchestra of Florence and subsequently was rewarded by being appointed the resident conductor until 2003.
How was the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra founded?
It wasn’t accidental, it was a result of the development of individuals and a new generation of people, and simultaneously this new society was eager to listen to this kind of music. It was all started by the late Sulhi al-Wadi who established both the High Institute of Music and the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. Al-Wadi was the first conductor of the Orchestra.
Where has the Orchestra performed so far?
We have performed in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Italy and the US. Our first Syria tour (outside Damascus) was in 2005. What are the major performances and achievements since you started?
On February 2007, the orchestra played with the world famous tenor Placido Domingo and the soprano Kallen Esperian conducted by Eugene Kohn in the “Education without borders 2007” conference in UAE. The SNSO had the honour to inaugurate the Dar al-Assad for Arts and Culture in May 2004. Recently they performed the opening concert of Damascus Arab Capital of Culture 2008.
What are your future plans?
We had a concert on the occasion of Syria’s Independence Day on April 17, 2008. It was the idea of Hannibal Saad, a Syrian who spent the last 10-years studying philosophy and working in the musical and film industries in New York and Washington DC. Saad created a plan for the SNSO to play patriotic songs that people are familiar with to bring them closer to the average Syrian citizen. On the other hand, the SNSO will play a concert on the 30th of April featuring all Syrian composers. On the 3rd of July, we shall perform works of the late great Maestro Sulhi al-Wadi.
What can be done to promote a “culture of music” in Syria?
It is vital to get media partners to help our orchestra expand. On the other hand, music has to be taught, as a fundamental subject, with more enthusiasm in our schools and universities. It has to become part of corporate culture to sponsor such events. The SNSO is yet to become an independent institute, and this transfer will make a big difference for the symphony and the musicians. The lack of a clear institutional position is a problem for us. We also have no place for our 75 musicians to train together, as opposed to every other orchestra internationally.
What are your personal dreams and aspirations?
It is critical for me as a human being, as an artist, that I preserve and promote my homeland. I also hope that the SNSO will move forward and get the attention it deserves from people and from concerned authorities.

The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra live in Syria

The Secretariat of Damascus, Capital of Arab Culture in partnership with The Czech Embassy in Damascus brought Syrian music aficionados one of the finest and most impressive concerts ever. Conducted by Leos Svarovsky, the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra gave a breathtaking concert at the theatre of Dar al-Assad for Arts and Culture on May 24, 2008.
The orchestra drew large and impressive crowds. Adorned in black suits and bow ties, orchestra members succeeded in playing challenging emotive pieces displaying the full range of their talents. The orchestra’s conductor Leos Svarovsky is one of the leading Czech musicians who had international tours with significant Czech orchestras giving concerts in Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland Spain and recently Syria. In the night’s repertoire he conducted the Prague Orchestra to perform not only Classical pieces but also an Arabic tune composed by the Syrian composer Zaid Jabri. “To prepare for any concert, we need three or four days of practice. Our first Oriental piece was arranged for solo cellist Athil Hamdan, whom we met in two rehearsals just before the concert. Thus, we had the chance to learn about the Arabic music which enriched our experiences,” said Svarovsky.
Renowned Syrian cellist Athil Hamdan highlighted the necessity of getting acquainted to musical techniques used by different orchestras. “It was a great honor for me to perform with the Prague orchestra as a soloist, and in my opinion it is very important for every musician to play the same piece with different orchestras, as that will give him the chance to expand upon his experiences and have better understanding for rhythm and melody.”