GASTON MATTHIJSSEACOUSTIC MUSIC RECORDING

QATAR · 2009–2013

Qatar Philharmonic
Orchestra years.

Nearly five years of orchestral recording for archive, broadcast and special international productions.

In memoriam

Lorin Maazel (1930–2014)

Lorin Maazel conducting
Lorin Maazel

Lorin Maazel played an important role in the launch of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and its early international profile.

  • The inaugural concert: Founded in 2007 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the orchestra gave its inaugural concert in Doha on 30 October 2008, conducted by Maazel.
  • Western and Arabic repertoire: The opening programme brought these traditions together, including Marcel Khalifé’s Arabian Concerto.
  • An international ensemble: Its 101 musicians were selected through auditions in European and Arab countries. Maazel helped introduce the new orchestra to international audiences.

Remembered with respect for his contribution to the early years of the orchestra.

Tribute video: Shared in memory of Lorin Maazel. This is not a recording or production by Gaston Matthijsse.

Watch Lorin Maazel with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra →
The inaugural programme and tenth anniversary →

Chief conductors

Chief conductors during
the QPO period.

Nader Abbassi · Michalis Economou · Han-Na Chang

Guest conductors

Selected conductors from
the QPO period.

Lorin Maazel · Dmitri Kitajenko · Marc Minkowski · James Gaffigan · Gerd Albrecht · David Afkham · Alastair Willis · George Pehlivanian · Thomas Kalb · Amine Kouider · Salvatore Accardo

Soloists & guest artists

Selected international
artists.

Boris Berezovsky — piano · Salvatore Accardo · Abdel Rahman El Bacha · Arsha Kaviani · Dmitris Sgouros · Julien Quentin · Jorge Saade · Gilbert Yammine · Hassan Moataz El Molla · Rony Moser · Angela Gheorghiu · Roberto Alagna · Omar Khairat

Venues & production scale

Orchestral recording
across Doha.

The QPO period included concert recording in large-scale performance environments, combining orchestral microphone systems, multitrack capture and reliable technical facilities.

Katara Opera House
Katara Opera House · Doha
Qatar National Convention Centre
Al Mayassa Theater · Qatar National Convention Centre · Doha
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra concert
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra · concert production

Beethoven project

James Gaffigan · Haydn Bendall

Recording engineer: Gaston Matthijsse.
Producer: Haydn Bendall.
Audio technical facilities: supplied/facilitated by Gaston Matthijsse.

With gratitude

A wonderful time in Qatar.

My heartfelt thanks to Peter Hupping, Kurt Meister, and the entire management and stage crew of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra for a wonderful time in Qatar. It was a privilege to capture so many memorable performances. I look back on our collaboration with great warmth and gratitude.

Gaston Matthijsse · Acoustic Music Recordings

Explore the recordings