Palestinian youth orchestra shines in Amman performance

AMMAN — The Filasteen Young Musicians Orchestra (FYMO) on Wednesday held a concert at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman as part of their 2019 tour of Palestine and Jordan, with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office.

The FYMO, a newly formed orchestra based in Ramallah, encourages talented young Palestinian musicians to make a “constructive contribution” by conveying “deep meaning” through music, according to an FYMO statement. 

During this season, the Chief Conductor of the FYMO is French conductor Remy Ballot, who is working with an orchestra of musicians playing the violin, cello, cembalo, double bass, viola and oboe, the statement added.

Damian Posse, a Spanish musician who plays the double bass, said that he “came a long way” to be part of the orchestra, which promotes the classical music scene in Palestine through welcoming young, talented musicians.

“Palestine is a second home for me… especially after performing with the FYMO,” Posse told The Jordan Times after the concert. 

Laila Salah, a Palestinian cellist, said that being part of an orchestra is “a privilege for all of the participants”, as not many musicians have the opportunity to join such workshops and concerts.

“What we have learned so far is something that we need to keep holding onto, because the FYMO taught us to produce one sound together, in addition to showing us the extraordinary treasures of other cultures,” she told The Jordan Times. 

Along with the concert, the event included a presentation of the documentary “Out of Place: Memories of Edward Said”, in remembrance of the Palestinian thinker, who wrote extensively on music, philosophy, history and literature.