Desert Rose Symphony by Queens Composer-in-Residence Malek Jandali '97 Makes Its World Premiere

The Desert Rose Symphony by world-renowned composer, pianist, and Queens alum Malek Jandali ’97 made its world premiere on the Baraha of the National Museum of Qatar on October 30. Part of the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Years of Culture program, the eagerly anticipated composition was performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra with Grammy-nominated guest conductor Alastair Willis.

The Desert Rose is inspired by a desert rose, a natural wonder that forms over time through the interaction of minerals, sand, and water in regions such as Qatar—a land of desert and sea. The symphony is also a reference to the flag of Qatar, with its nine movements—each based on an iconic element of Qatari culture—evoking the nine-point serrated line on the flag.

Fanfare Magazine called Jandali’s work “a major new addition to the 21st century’s symphonic literature.” The Desert Rose album features two world-class symphonies, including Symphony No. 6 The Desert Rose, and Symphony No. 4 for String Orchestra recorded under the helm of American conductor Marin Alsop with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

“I don’t know of another composer who so successfully weaves in the Arabic, particularly the folk [musical] elements. Jandali belongs among the superb composer poets of our time. A meaningful voice of quite astonishing, almost unearthly beauty,” Alsop said. “Seeing the actual desert rose made me feel much more connected to our heritage as human beings on the planet. And maybe that’s the goal—to find that fundamental connection among all of us as human beings instead of all these superficial things.”

The symphony was commissioned by the Years of Culture initiative, a platform for exchange and collaboration connecting cultures and continents through annual bilateral exchanges. For more than four years, Jandali studied the sounds and landscapes of Qatar to capture and preserve the Qatari cultural heritage and traditions for the global stage.

“I take great pleasure in announcing these symphonies, which so beautifully tell the story of Qatar’s history and culture through music,” said Aisha Al Attiya, director of cultural diplomacy at Qatar Museums. “Malek Jandali has a sincere appreciation of Qatari heritage, and his mission to unite nations across the world through the arts aligns so strongly with the purpose of Years of Culture. We are delighted to be collaborating with him on these inspiring symphonies.”

“Through this timely partnership with Years of Culture, I have the honor of presenting Qatar’s musical traditions on the global stage,” said Malek Jandali. “Together, we are contributing our rich Arab heritage to the lexicon of classical music and the progression of cultural modernity. We welcome orchestras around the world to join our symphony of peace, unity, and humanity.”