Upon its founding, Firqat Alnoor set out to bring Arabic and Eastern classical music to the forefront of Israel’s stage and cultural scene as a legitimate and esteemed art form. The orchestra aims to provide a platform for the hundreds of thousands of people whose roots are deeply embedded in the rich Eastern musical heritage and who seek to enjoy their beloved music on concert stages across the country and beyond.
The inspiration for the establishment of the orchestra came from the legendary “Kol Israel in Arabic” orchestra, conducted by Zuzu Musa, which operated in Israel for decades until its closure in the 1990s. Since the dissolution of this iconic orchestra—composed primarily of Jewish musicians who immigrated from various Arab countries – no institution has emerged to properly represent the classical Eastern musical tradition, including its diverse traditions of singing and liturgical poetry. Some of Firqat Alnoor’s musicians are direct students of the great artists who were part of that orchestra.
Alongside the experienced musicians, young musicians seeking a welcoming place to learn and grow have joined, as well as classical Western musicians who have fallen in love with Eastern music. The musicians come from all corners of the country – together they form a microcosm of Israeli society – Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, Muslims and Christians. Music serves as a bridge that unites them all.
They become one big family, and the orchestra embarks on its journey at the end of 2014.
