At the mention of Arabia, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is mysterious and rich, with a fascinatingly unique language and customs as well as a long history and culture. 

What kind of sparks will be aroused when this mysterious land meets the metropolis of innovation? On October 27, at the 2023 Shenzhen Belt & Road International Music Festival, the Arabian Fantastic Drift - Concert of the MAias ALyamani & Arabic MAqam Ensemble was staged in Sky Concert Hall, the world's highest concert hall, making a spectacular performance. 

This concert feasted the Chinese audience with beautiful Middle Eastern music art through the Arab national characteristics of music as a bridge.

The concert kicked off with exotic melodies. Throughout the cultural journey along the Silk Road from Syria to Istanbul in Turkey, then to Qatar, and finally at the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the audience is exposed to multifarious musical elements from the Arab world, such as traditional Arabian maqam tones, Istanbul rhythmic melodies, and Qatari folk music, which perfectly blend the folk tunes of different traditional Arab tribes from regions including Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, etc. In between each chapter, Cai Shang, the concert's presenter, also narrated the human history precipitated behind the melodies. 

Arabia, where One Thousand and One Nights originated, has given birth to ancient civilizations such as Ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Phoenician civilizations. Along the ancient Silk Road thousands of years ago, the Arabs walked out of an economic belt and a colorful and vibrant cultural belt across the geographic distance of thousands of mountains and the communication barriers of language with us. To date, cultural exchanges and mutual appreciation have never ceased in between, with far-reaching effects. 

Arabic MAqam Ensemble, the most prestigious chamber orchestra in the Middle East, is composed of the toppers of all voices from the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Barenboim. The orchestra was first founded in Vienna in 2006 by Syrian and Arab musicians from renowned European classical orchestras, specializing in performing classical music works in the Arabic style. 

The orchestra has gained an extraordinary reputation in Europe and the Middle East since its inception, having performed more than 500 concerts in more than 30 countries. The works fuse Western classical chamber music, jazz, and other popular styles on the basis of inheriting and preserving traditional Arab composition and interpretation, becoming the pioneer of Arab music around the world, and also, having tremendously contributed to the dissemination and promotion of Arab music worldwide. 

"This is the first time I have heard live music from the Arab region. I got drawn in the skillful coordination of various instruments and the melodies with Middle Eastern style." Ms. Zheng, a music fan, pleasantly shared her evening with her friends after the concert. "I, immersed in the music, seem to be riding on a camel, with the crisp camel bells in my ears and the vast expanse of yellow sand in front of me. That's it, looking forward to arriving at the next destination."

The audience enthusiastically grooved accompanied by the mellifluous piano, the ever-changing rhythms, the majestic momentum, and the magnificent melody, which thrilled the musicians as well. The musicians encored with Horse Race and Jasmine, traditional Chinese works, a charming response to the excitement of this cultural exchange. 

"When the familiar Chinese music was played during the encore, I experienced the genuine intermingling of music from different countries." Ms. Zheng said.