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Astaan

@astaantv

Colour & Type Study

2023 — 2024

The full Astaan Orchestra on stage in an ornate hall with pink cove lighting — rows of seated oud players in blue suits, with violinists and horn players raised on platforms behind them.

Two editions · 59 musician participations

AstaanOrchestra

A major musical initiative bringing together experienced Somali musicians to showcase the richness of Somali music through a professional orchestral performance.

41

Musicians · 2023

18

Musicians · Hargeisa

7

Works performed

01 — OverviewAstaan Orchestra

A platform for highly skilled musicians, playing traditional and modern instruments together.

Astaan Orchestra was established as a major musical initiative to bring together experienced Somali musicians and showcase the richness of Somali music through a professional orchestral performance.

The project provided a platform for highly skilled musicians to perform together using a wide range of traditional and modern musical instruments. Their contribution deserves special recognition for preserving Somali musical heritage while presenting it through a contemporary and professional format.

The ensemble seated in rows against a pale panelled wall — a front line of oud players in white shirts and bow ties, with saxophone, trombone and trumpet players and a guitarist behind.

Ensemble

Oud, kaban, violin, brass, woodwind, keys and percussion in one stage arrangement.

03 — First Performance14 June 2023
Wide view of the 41-piece orchestra performing beneath chandeliers and magenta ceiling lights — seated oud players in front, drums, keyboards, guitarists and violinists on risers behind.

41 musicians, each with strong experience on a different instrument.

Date

14 June 2023

Participating musicians

41 experienced

Format

Large ensemble

The inaugural Astaan Orchestra performance brought together 41 musicians, each with strong experience in playing different musical instruments. The performance highlighted the ability of Somali musicians to collaborate as a large ensemble while maintaining the character and emotional depth of Somali music.

Songs performed

  • Kugu Ladnaanay01
  • Gabadhahaan GacalkoodaAhmed Naaji Sacad02
  • Sirmaqabe03
  • Neyruus04

The selection combined well-known Somali musical works with the distinctive sound of a large orchestra, creating a performance that celebrated Somali musical culture.

A veteran oud player in a light-blue shirt and black bow tie seated mid-performance, surrounded by fellow oud players.
Close view of a musician in a blue shirt and tie playing an intricately decorated oud, with violinists standing behind.
04 — Hargeisa Edition30 September 2024

Presented again in Hargeisa, with 18 musicians.

Following the successful first performance, Astaan Orchestra was presented again in Hargeisa. The edition continued the project's objective of bringing professional musicians together and creating high-quality performances that celebrate Somali music and artistic heritage.

Date

30 Sep 2024

Location

Hargeisa

Musicians

18

The Hargeisa ensemble in a white hall with purple ceiling lights — seated oud players in light-blue shirts in front, guitarists, drummers and violinists arranged on the platform behind.
A young violinist in a maroon hijab and cream blouse drawing her bow across the strings, another violinist playing beside her.
A violinist in a maroon hijab playing an electric violin while seated among fellow musicians in bow ties.
05 — Impact & Cultural Significance2023 — 2024

59

musician participations were recorded across the June 2023 and September 2024 performances.

Astaan Orchestra demonstrated the potential of professional music production to bring together musicians, singers, cultural heritage, and modern media production.

  • 01The project created opportunities for experienced musicians to perform collectively.
  • 02Classic Somali songs were reintroduced to audiences through an orchestral format.
  • 03The performances contributed to the preservation and promotion of Somali musical heritage.
  • 04Musicians and vocalists were given a professional platform to showcase their talent.
  • 05The Hargeisa edition expanded the Orchestra concept to another major Somali cultural center.

Reference recordings

Seven works · YouTube

https://surl.li/ggkizv02 · 7UxmptDQy7A03 · uzsbhW2qF2404 · grqihcnyGwQhttps://surl.li/vrpwju06 · VhAO0ly6NfA07 · -fBwov5jeaU
A percussionist with glasses, white shirt and black bow tie playing bongos, a drum kit behind him.
An oud player in a blue shirt and black bow tie mid-song, brass and saxophone players seated behind him.
Three seated oud players performing side by side, with red congas and a drum kit on the platform behind them.

Somali musical heritage, presented in a contemporary and professional format.

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