One of the highlights of Qiddiya’s ground-breaking ceremony on April 28 was an original composition written exclusively for the event by the award-winning American composer William (Bill) Ross and performed live by the Czech Philharmonic orchestra.
In front of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ross directed 40 musicians from the Czech Philharmonic as they performed a stirring soundtrack. The audience was transported through the ages of Saudi Arabia, evoking a range of emotions, and ending in a celebration of the future of Qiddiya, set to a spectacular firework show.
The performance, in front of an audience of royals and key international and Saudi stakeholders, prominently positions Saudi Arabia in the global music industry and raises the profile of Qiddiya as a future home and incubator of the world’s musical talents.
“My deepest and heartfelt best wishes to the leaders and people of Saudi Arabia as they work together to realize the hopes and dreams envisioned in the goals of Vision 2030,” said Ross. “As a part of that historic change, Qiddiya will exist as a monument to the value and importance of entertainment, recreation, education, and the arts. It has been my great honor to have been allowed to contribute, in some small way, to the realization of the dream that is Qiddiya.”
The composition performed at the event was the first time in Ross’ 35-year career as a composer that he had created such a complex score, with a fusion of Western and local sounds reflective of instruments true to the Kingdom.
Ross is a four-time Emmy Award winner who has composed music for numerous films and has worked with artists including Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder and Sting. The multi-talented musician also orchestrated and conducted the score to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Qiddiya will offer state-of-the-art performance centers, a cultural village, music lessons, and regular concerts. World-class performers and rising Saudi stars will be invited to share their talents on Qiddiya’s stages, giving local artists an outlet for their creativity and well-deserved recognition. Such opportunities will create an exchange of culture and encourage Saudi youth to follow their musical passion with the help of Qiddiya’s music experts.